Springbok wing Bryan Habana dusted himself off from a horrific first-half mid-air collision to score a hat-trick of tries and write himself into Rugby World Cup folklore as the Boks secured top spot in Pool B.
South Africa 64 (14)
USA 0 (0)
The flying wing scored three tries in a 21-minute spell after the break to move to 15 World Cup tries - equalling All Black great Jonah Lomu's World Cup record. He also pulled level with Wallaby legend David Campese on 64 in Tests.
Habana also spilt a chance over the tryline moments later, to deny himself the outright record. If he doesn't solely hold the record by the end of the tournament, that moment might haunt him.
So what was all the fuss about? The Springboks are into the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals for a sixth consecutive time after a clinical dissection of the US on a chilly London night. After losing their opening match of the tournament to Japan three weeks ago, the Bok death notices were drawn up. But after a 10-try romp against a committed but outgunned US, the Boks go marching on to a quarterfinal date with either Australia or Wales at Twickenham on October 17.
Defensively the US were superb in the first half - their line speed and accuracy stopped Springbok momentum. But the Boks turned the screw through their dominant set piece, especially the scrum, to put the Americans under pressure.
Francois Louw scored two tries from rolling mauls, while there was also a penalty try from scrum pressure. Despite SA problems behind the pack, they were on board soon enough when centre Damian de Allende opened his World Cup try scoring account by cutting through the defence. The Boks' second try came courtesy of referee Pascal Gauzere awarding a penalty try after a third US scrum collapse.
Hooker Bismarck du Plessis made crucial turnovers either side of half time - the first to stop the US's best attacking period and the second that led to Habana's 13th World Cup try two minutes into the second half.
Scorers: SA - Tries: Damian de Allende, penalty try, Bryan Habana (3), Bismarck du Plessis, Francois Louw (2), Jesse Kriel, Lwazi Mvovo. Conversions: Handre Pollard (4), Morne Steyn (3).
Habana the hero of Boks victory
Springbok wing Bryan Habana dusted himself off from a horrific first-half mid-air collision to score a hat-trick of tries and write himself into Rugby World Cup folklore as the Boks secured top spot in Pool B.
South Africa 64 (14)
USA 0 (0)
The flying wing scored three tries in a 21-minute spell after the break to move to 15 World Cup tries - equalling All Black great Jonah Lomu's World Cup record. He also pulled level with Wallaby legend David Campese on 64 in Tests.
Habana also spilt a chance over the tryline moments later, to deny himself the outright record. If he doesn't solely hold the record by the end of the tournament, that moment might haunt him.
So what was all the fuss about? The Springboks are into the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals for a sixth consecutive time after a clinical dissection of the US on a chilly London night. After losing their opening match of the tournament to Japan three weeks ago, the Bok death notices were drawn up. But after a 10-try romp against a committed but outgunned US, the Boks go marching on to a quarterfinal date with either Australia or Wales at Twickenham on October 17.
Defensively the US were superb in the first half - their line speed and accuracy stopped Springbok momentum. But the Boks turned the screw through their dominant set piece, especially the scrum, to put the Americans under pressure.
Francois Louw scored two tries from rolling mauls, while there was also a penalty try from scrum pressure. Despite SA problems behind the pack, they were on board soon enough when centre Damian de Allende opened his World Cup try scoring account by cutting through the defence. The Boks' second try came courtesy of referee Pascal Gauzere awarding a penalty try after a third US scrum collapse.
Hooker Bismarck du Plessis made crucial turnovers either side of half time - the first to stop the US's best attacking period and the second that led to Habana's 13th World Cup try two minutes into the second half.
Scorers: SA - Tries: Damian de Allende, penalty try, Bryan Habana (3), Bismarck du Plessis, Francois Louw (2), Jesse Kriel, Lwazi Mvovo. Conversions: Handre Pollard (4), Morne Steyn (3).
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos