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South Africa scored 50 second half points on their way to a 64-0 beat down of the USA. The bonus point victory guarantees that the Springboks will top Pool B regardless of the outcome of the Scotland/Samoa match. Springbok wing Bryan Habana notched a second half hat trick to move into a tie with Jonah Lomu for the most All-time tries scored at the Rugby World Cup with 15.
As with their other matches, the USA hung in against South Africa in the first half, only yielding two converted tries. They were undone by a sloppy second half as South Africa began to shift possession and territory distinctly in their favor. The Eagles did not do themselves any favors on defense, as the missed 30 tackles and yielded a staggering 72 carries that crossed the gainline. Most of which came in a second half where South Africa ramped up the pressure and starved the USA of possession.
Damian De Allende opened up the scoring for the Springboks with a 7th minute try off of a loose ball deep in the USA’s half. Handre Pollard added the conversion to give South Africa the lead.
The USA had a golden opportunity to break the shutout early in the first half, but Niku Kruger struck the upright on a very kickable penalty. Little did the USA know that it would be their best opportunity to score the entire match. The Eagles did well to maintain possession in the first half and were able to put together some solid phases of play, but their ineffective and bland attack was unable to penetrate the Springbok lines.
South Africa added to their lead in the 27th minute with a Penalty Try after three straight scrum penalties from the USA on their 5 meter line. Pollard’s conversion increased South Africa’s lead to 14-0 where the score remained the rest of the half.
The Springboks came out in the second half roaring and wasted little time amplifying their pressure. Habana scored his first of three tries in the 42nd minute. Bismarck Du Plessis added another in the 47th minute and South Africa was off to the races. François Louw tacked another try on in the 53rd minute as South Africa pushed their lead out to 33-0.
With the USA beginning to wilt under the pressure, the Springboks turned the match up another notch. Habana scored his second try in the 59th minute with Morne Steyn adding the conversion. Two minutes later Habana completed his hat trick after picking up a ball that squirted out of a ruck and running it in for a score. Louw added his second try of the match in the 69th minute and center Jesse Kriel got on the board with a 73rd minute try to extend the Springbok lead to 57-0.
With time expired, the USA mounted one last push to break the shutout. A nice pick from the ruck by replacement front rower Joe Taufetee lead to line break and put the USA deep into Springbok territory. After failing to capitalize on the break, the USA went through a few phases before the ball ended up on the ground where South African wing Lwazi Mvovo booted it downfield. Mvovo gathered the ball and appeared to knock the ball on while trying to ground it as Eagle Cam Dolan came in for a try-saving tackle. Replays confirmed that there was a knock on, but the ruling did not go to the TMO for review. Steyn added the conversion to finish the scoring at 64-0.
South Africa finishes the pool with a 3-1 record and on a high note as they prepare for the knockout round. The USA has one pool match left against Japan on Sunday. Given recent results, the Eagles are going to have their work cut out for them to take down a Japanese side that has impressed this World Cup.
Scoring Summary
South Africa 64
Tries: De Allende (7′), Penalty Try (27′), Habana (42′, 59′, 61′), Du Plessis (47′), Louw (53′, 69′), Kriel (73′), Mvovo (84′)
Conv: Pollard (8′, 28′, 42′, 54′), Steyn (60′, 63′, 85′)
United States 0
