Bryan Habana scored four tries and Percy Montgomery contributed 29 points on Sunday, South Africa withstanding Samoa's punishing first-half defense to win 59-7 and top Group A at the Rugby World Cup.
Montgomery collected two tries at the Parc des Princes, while center Jaque Fourie and winger J.P. Pietersen also scored for the Springboks. Outside center Gavin Williams scored Samoa's only try.
South Africa moved to 6-0 against Samoa and recorded their largest winning margin against the team, surpassing the 60-10 victory in 2003.
PHOTO: AP
The Springboks earned a bonus point to top the group with five points, one more than England after its 28-10 win over the US on Saturday.
South Africa play England at the Stade de France on Friday, and the 2003 world champions will have to lift on the uninspired performance against the Eagles in Lens to win and possibly avoid a quarter-final against Australia.
Led by locks Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield and flanker Schalk Burger, South Africa met the Samoan physical approach head on, dominating in the lineout to allow the team's backs to capitalize in the second half.
Montgomery had kicked three penalties by the 16th minute, as referee Paul Honiss kept close watch at the breakdown.
Samoa hit back with a try in the 18th. From a lineout, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu passed to No. 12 Jerry Meafou, whose short ball to Williams, cutting back on the angle, allowed the outside center to score next to the posts.
In the 33rd, Habana scored following a 30m weaving run after Fourie had spotted an overlap down the short side. Montgomery missed the conversion but South Africa led 14-7.
Pietersen was held up over the line moments later after Botha and Burger had handled. But the respite was temporary as the Springboks scored from the ensuing scrum, Montgomery touching down for a 21-7 halftime score.
Samoa were inspired after the interval. The 126kg No. 8 Henry Tuilagi and Semo Sititi combined to force a 5m scrum, from which lock Joe Tekori scored -- only for it to be disallowed for offside.
Samoa were mighty in defense, forcing center Jean de Villiers off with an arm injury, but his replacement, Francois Steyn, straight away made a 40m break. His kick for Pietersen to chase went out, but Fourie sliced through the defense from the lineout and ran around fullback David Lemi to score out wide in the 47th.
Montgomery landed the conversion, and six minutes later he had his second try when Samoa were stretched and quick hands from Burger and Matfield put him over in the corner to make it 33-7.
Samoa had begun to tire when Habana notched his second in the 56th, beating two defenders after a short pass from Butch James at the advantage line and just eluding winger Lome Fa'atau's desperate lunge on the line.
Brian Lima made history in the 61st minute when the substitute winger took the field for Fa'autu, becoming the only man to play in five World Cups after he made his tournament debut in 1991 against Wales at age 19.
Unfortunately, Lima had to be replaced after only four minutes after knocking himself out while attempting a big hit on reserve flyhalf Andre Pretorius.
Two minutes later, Habana scored his third try after taking a quick tap from a penalty.
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