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Rugby Union

Springboks flatten Samoans

09/09/2007

South Africa fired a warning to England after hammering Samoa 59-7 in the Rugby World Cup at the Parc des Princes.

The Springboks overcame a physical Samoan side with Brian Habana scoring four tries while Percy Montgomery bagged a brace.

Jaque Fourie and JP Pietersen scored second-half tries for the South Africans in Paris.

England's clash with the Springboks is on Friday at the Stade de France.

The pre-match favourites made a bright start and led 9-0 after 14 minutes thanks to three penalties from Montgomery.

Samoa then stunned their opponents with a clinical try on 17 minutes with centre Gavin Williams strolling through to score under the posts.

South Africa went 14-7 ahead on the half hour mark when Bryan Habana bamboozled his way through the Samoan defence to touch down.

On the stroke of half-time, the pool A favourites went 14 points ahead after Montgomery bundled over the line.

The Springboks went on a rampage at the start of the second half with three tries in nine minutes.

First, centre Jaque Fourie outraced Alesana Tuilagi to touch down on 46 minutes.

Then, Montgomery was sent clear on the overlap six minutes later for his second try of the match.

On 55 minutes, winger Habana grabbed his second by racing past the Samoan defence to score.

Habana then completed his second-half trick before crossing the line again for his fourth try. Winger Pietersen completed the rout from close range in the dying minutes.

Centre Brian Lima, 35, came on for Samoa to become the first player to take part in five World Cups.