Springboks fire warning to World Cup rivals
South Africa face Fiji next Sunday in Marseille
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Sunday, 30, Sep 2007 09:25
South Africa warmed up for their quarter-final against Fiji by hammering the USA 64-15 in Montpelier.
The Springboks put out a full-strength side and scored three tries in the first half through Schalk Burger, Francois Steyn, and CJ van der Linde.
Fourie du Preez, Jaque Fourie, and two tries apiece from Bryan Habana and Jaque Fourie completed the carnage.
Despite a bright start by the Americans, South Africa took the lead when Burger scooped up a pass from his bootlaces to crash over on nine minutes.
Percy Montgomery's penalty was then cancelled out by Mike Hercus' kick as the Springboks led 10-3.
The southern hemisphere giants scored their second try in the 27th minute when a turnover 18 yards from their opponent's goal line allowed Steyn to touch down with a solo effort.
Six minutes before half-time, the Springboks went 24-3 ahead when Burger burst forward and off-loaded to Habana who flew over for his 27th international try.
The Americans stunned their opponents on 38 minutes with one of the tries of the tournament.
Todd Clever danced past his marker before the ball eventually came to Takudzwa Ngwenya with the right winger bamboozling Habana to score under the posts.
South Africa sealed victory with three tries in the opening 14 minutes of the second half.
Habana dived over the line on 41 minutes while replacement prop van der Linde collected Smith's reverse pass to touch down six minutes later.
Du Preez then pushed South Africa towards the 50-point mark with another try.
The Americans responded by Northampton's Chris Wyles picking up Hercus' pass and touching down in the left-corner.
Habana was then carried off with blood dribbling down his face after an accidental clash of heads with Ngwenya.
The Springboks stretched their lead to 50-15 on the hour mark when Francois Steyn set-up centre Fourie to cross the line.
Six minutes from time, Fourie grabbed his second try after finishing off a sweeping move covering the length of the field.
Smith sealed the rout after another scintillating attack by the South Africans in the 77th minute, in the final match of the group stages of the tournament.