Springboks score five tries to beat Samoa 35-8

By Ken Borland

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa ran in five tries to win a bruising test match with Samoa 35-8 on Saturday.

The Springboks used their entire bench as the Samoans put up fierce resistance with wing Ashwin Willemse, centre Wayne Julies, scrumhalf Enrico Januarie and flanker Luke Watson all leaving the field through injury.

South Africa enjoyed a considerable advantage in the tight phases, especially the scrums, with Scottish referee Malcolm Changleng penalising Samoa regularly and eventually yellow-carding prop Justin Va’a shortly before halftime.

But the inexperienced Springbok backline made handling errors and Samoa defended well, captain and hooker John Smit only scoring the first try for South Africa after 19 minutes.

Slick passing by inside centre Wayne Julies sent wing JP Pietersen and fullback Francois Steyn over the line for a 23-3 lead at the break.

Replacement flanker Pedrie Wannenburg, who came on for controversial selection Watson after 50 minutes, and replacement fullback Percy Montgomery scored in the second half as Samoa competed fiercely and gave the Springboks a tough workout. Wing Pietersen set up Wannenburg’s try with a scything break.

Flyhalf Derick Hougaard succeeded with a conversion and two penalties and kicked superbly out of hand, while Montgomery converted his own try.

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The Springboks, who made 13 changes for the test and were then struck by injuries, battled for rhythm as the Samoans tackled with typical ferocity and also ran the ball with power.

Teams

South Africa - 15-Francois Steyn; 14-Ashwin Willemse (21-Jaque Fourie 40), 13-Waylon Murray, 12-Wayne Julies (22-Percy Montgomery 56), 11-JP Pietersen; 10-Derick Hougaard, 9-Enrico Januarie (20-Ruan Pienaar 44); 8-Bobby Skinstad, 7-Danie Rossouw, 6-Luke Watson (19-Pedrie Wannenburg 50), 5-Albert van den Berg, 4-Johan Ackermann (18-Johann Muller 61), 3-BJ Botha, 2-John Smit (captain) (16-Gary Botha 48), 1-Os du Randt (17-Deon Carstens 52)

Samoa - 15-Gavin Williams; 14-Lome Fa’atau (22-David Lemi 68), 13-Anitelea Tuilagi, 12-Seilala Mapusua (21-Elvis Seveali’i 60), 11-Alesana Tuilagi; 10-Loki Crichton, 9-Stephen So’oialo (20-Junior Poluleuligaga 63); 8-Semo Sititi (captain), 7-Justin Purdie (17-Donald Kerslake 41-48, Alfie To’oala 53), 6-Daniel Leo, 5-Kane Thompson, 4-Filipo Levi, 3-Census Johnston, 2-Mahonri Schwalger (16-Muliufa Salanoa 63), 1-Justin Va’a (Kerslake 68).

Referee: Malcolm Changleng (Scotland)