As it turned out, a comfortable victory leaves the pool wide open leaving the Springboks game against Scotland next Saturday in Newcastle pretty much a pool decider. If SA lose they will struggle to qualify, but this weekend’s performance makes it likely that, despite a growing injury list, the Springboks will protect their proud World Cup record of never failing to qualify for the knock out stages of the tournament.
Against the Samoans, South Africa made a steady start, going into an early lead through a Pollard penalty.  However, Samoa stayed with the Springboks and surprisingly took the lead midway through the half, looking, for a while, to be taking the game away from the South Africans with some exciting running play. 
But the Springboks defence remained resolute and JP Pietersen’s interception deep in his own half and the try he consequently ran in served to still and lingering doubts about the outcome.
While not a vintage performance, the South Africans steadily grew their points tally, punishing any Samoan ill discipline or poor play and going in at the break leading 17-6.
The second half saw more tries and South Africa dominated the scoring once again.  Pietersen went over for two tries to complete an excellent hatrick. Other tries from Schalk Burger and Schalk Brits and the tireless Bryan Habana who went over the line right at the end to complete a 46-6 victory.
The result came at some cost with coach Heynke Meyer confirming several players, including skipper Jean De Villiers, had gone for x-rays.  “Jean is one of them,” Meyer said.  “There are five or six players with injuries. There’s a long list.”