SAMOA v SOUTH AFRICA: Quadrangular Tournament

22.06.2013

Venue: Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Johannesburg

Referee: Pascal Gauzère (France)

Preview
This rugby test match is the second match to be featured on Saturday. This match is significant in that both teams are undefeated in this new-style tournament being held in South Africa.

Samoa upset Scotland 27-17 in round 1 and then demolished Italy 39-10 in the second. This is a Pacific Island nation on the rise but they will find the Springbox another level up again.

South Africa has cruised to Round 3 with wins against Italy 44-10 and Scotland 30-17. The game against Scotland was less than convincing and the forward-dominated approach has drawn criticism. It will be a fascinating encounter.

Last Five Encounters
30.09.2011 South Africa 13-5 in Albany (World Cup, Pool D)
09.09.2007 South Africa 59-7 in Paris (World Cup, Pool A)
09.06.2007 South Africa 35-8 in Johhesburg
01.11.2003 South Africa 60-10 in Brisbane (World Cup, Pool C)

These two teams first met in 1995, Samoa losing 8-60 in a pre-World Cup warm-up match in Johannesburg.

GWC Rugby Ranking
Samoa 6th, South Africa 7th

IRB Ranking Points
South Africa 86.94, Samoa 80.50

Prediction: If Samoa can hold the South Africans in the forwards (they held the Italian forwards-No mean achievement), defend and attack in the backs this is Samoa’s best opportunity to cause one of rugby’s greatest upsets.

Prediction: Samoa by 3 points

TEAMS

South Africa
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Bryan Habana, 13 JJ Engelbrecht, 12 Jean de Villiers, Capt. / Jan Serfontein, 11 Bjorn Basson, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Willem Alberts / Siya Kolisi, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Flip van der Merwe,
4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements
16 Bismarck du Plessis, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen,
19 Juandré Kruger, 20 Siya Kolisi / Marcell Coetzee, 21 Piet van Zyl, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Jan Serfontein / Juan de Jongh.

Samoa
15 James So'oialo, 14 Alapati Leiua, 13 Paul Williams,Capt. 12 Johnny Leota, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Tusiata Pisi, 9 Jeremy Sua, 8 Taiasina Tuifua, 7 Jack Lam, 6 Ofisa Treviranus, 5 Daniel Leo, 4 Teofilo Paulo, 3 Census Johnston,
2 Wayne Ole Avei, 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Replacements
16 Ti'i Paulo, 17 Logovii Mulipola, 18 James Johnston, 19 Kane Thompson, 20 Junior Poluleuligaga, 21 Brando Vaaulu, 22 Seilala Mapusua, 23 Alafoti Faosiliva.

Teams from http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_8786142,00.html

In the other match to scoop up the crumbs, Scotland will play Italy in a rematch of many 6 Nations contests for the Wooden Spoon.

Prediction: Scotland by 10 points