South Africa progressed to the rugby World Cup semi-finals yesterday by eking out a hard-fought 37-20 victory over Fiji in a brutal but enthralling game in which no quarter was given.
With some monumental hits exchanged between two immensely physical sides, it was the Springboks' superior forward nous and power that finally ground down a Fiji side that were only 13-3 behind at the interval.
South Africa were given the fright of their lives when Fiji scored two tries in two minutes when down to 14 men halfway through the second half.
But while the Fiji team all seemed capable of beating the first-up Springbok tackles, they were also guilty of losing the ball in the contact area when the second wave of defense arrived.
In a cracking start, Montgomery missed an easy penalty after the Fiji scrum buckled under the experience of the 'Bok front row of Os du Randt, captain Smith and Jannie du Plessis, a late call-up for the injured CJ van der Linde.
But Steyn made amends with a 53m penalty.
The 'Boks spurned their next kickable penalty chance and kicked to touch. From the ensuing ruck, Fourie du Preez fired out an inch-perfect pass for center Jacque Fourie to cross in the corner.
John Smith was the beneficiary of South Africa's powerful driving maul when he was driven over for a try in the 35th minute.
Bai kicked his second penalty early in the second-half after Bryan Habana was caught in possession, but the 'Boks responded immediately.
Lock Victor Matfield held off a tackler to offload to Pietersen for a simple run-in. To make matters worse for Fiji, center Seru Rabeni saw yellow for a high tackle on Butch James.
But Fiji were far from out of it. Just as they seemed to lose their shape, Delasau spotted a half-chance, chipped and pounced on his own kick for a try.
Two minutes later, the irrepressible Rauluni broke the line to find Sireli Bobo steaming up in support and the winger had enough power to ride Fourie's tackle for a try that Bai again converted to draw the scores level at 20-20.
Despite Montgomery hitting a penalty, Fiji had the chance to take the game from South Africa, but Seru Rabeni knocked on over the line and Pietersen made a magnificent try-saving tackle on Rawaqa.
The 'Boks made sure of the win with two late tries from Smit and Butch James.
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