Brisbane, Nov 02: South Africa demolish Samoa 60-10 to reach Rugby World Cup quarter finals.
South Africa blasted their way into the World Cup quarter-finals with a clinical 60-10 victory over Samoa in their final pool C match on Saturday (November 1). The 1995 champions were in command from the moment Joe van Niekerk scored a second-minute penalty and a typical piece of enterprise from Joost van der Westhuizen saw the scrumhalf slip untouched down the short side of a scrum and then feed the supporting Van Niekerk for a try after 90 seconds. Samoa's usually indomitable spirit was broken and fullback Jaco van der Westhuyzen got in on the action in the second half when he finished off a brilliant passing movement to put South Africa 51-10 ahead. There was almost a sour end to the game as a fan ran from the crowd and tried to tackle Koen as he successfully converted the last try. The man, his face painted in Samoan colours, knocked himself unconscious in the process, was taken to hospital and later released into police custody.


Tournament officials will meet on Sunday to review the incident.

Bureau Report