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Thu 8 Oct 2015 | 10:15
South Africa crush USA as Habana equals Lomu's RWC tries record

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Bryan Habana scored a hat-trick of tries as the Springboks secured pole position in Pool B with a 64-0 thumping of the USA at the Olympic Stadium. Habana's three tries brought him level with Jonah Lomu as the top try scorers ever at Rugby World Cups.

The hat-trick, which was almost four tries but for a fumble over the line, also brings Habana equal with David Campese at second place on the all time highest Test try scorers list, with 64. The only person above them is Japan's Daisuke Ohata, who scored 69 tries in total.

South Africa's first half performance was a bit scrappy as balls were dropped and opportunities missed. They led 14-0 at the break but kicked into gear in the second, going on to score ten tries in total as the USA became the first side to not score a point in a match at this year's tournament.

Following South Africa's shock defeat to Japan in the opening round, coach Heyneke Meyer chose not to take anyone for granted, so picked a strong side to face the Eagles. This win, combined with convincing wins over Samoa (46-6) and Scotland (34-16), will give the Boks some good momentum going into a quarter final against either Wales or Australia.

"We are really happy with our defence as we have only conceded one try in our last three games," said coach Meyer.

"But we've achieved nothing yet and we have to keep our feet on the ground – we will now take a break for a few days before regrouping and getting ready for what will be a very tough quarter-final against either Wales or Australia."

Meyer praised Habana for his performance and equalling Lomu's record: "Bryan would be the first to admit it’s not about the individual, but the team. He’s has always played well for me and always comes through in the big games.

"When we really needed him in the last two or three weeks, Bryan delivered his best. I am so proud of him not just as a rugby player but as a human being as well. He is a great ambassador for South Africa," Meyer added.

Posted By: Grant Constable

7 Comments

  • drg
    8:25 PM 09/10/2015

    I'm disappointed by the Habana decision ONLY because of all the past cards and things issued for similar or 'less bad' incidents. It makes me worry about how many pathetic decisions made NOW (Tuilagi knee) will be looked back on with cringing faces...

  • eddie-g
    1:34 PM 08/10/2015

    I think you're right - the ref decided penalty and allowed SA to play an advantage, as all refs instinctively should do, but decided shortly after a penalty try was in order. Bit unusual, normally penalty tries are awarded immediately (or these days, referred to the TMO), but you can see how a ref could have two competing instincts here.

  • mattyj
    1:28 PM 08/10/2015

    Amazing to see RSA tear apart USA DESPITE terrible handling errors throughout! I feel USA have literally no attacking game, just charge over and over and the boks smashed them apart it!

  • eddie-g
    1:23 PM 08/10/2015

    Either Wales or Australia will be an excellent game, but really helps for us that we have 10 days to prepare off the back of an easy final pool game.

    And heading into the knock-out phase, I'll take effective over pretty all day long.

  • katman
    12:43 PM 08/10/2015

    Yes, that was more than a little confusing. Even my wife, who knows little about the rules, asked me why play went on with an advantage if a penalty try was coming.

    Almost as confusing as the next game - Namibia vs Georgia - where the Georgians were totally dominant in the scrum, only two have two Namibian props carded right on their own line leading to uncontested scrums.

  • dancarter
    12:21 PM 08/10/2015

    Why did the ref play advantage and then go back to give the penalty try? The only thing I can think of is that it took him a few seconds to decide to award it, but it looked like a fairly routine decision to me. I'm not sure if I'm missing something here, but surely every team would take the penalty try because it will give you the easiest possible conversion.

  • katman
    12:13 PM 08/10/2015

    That's better. I bit of everything in this win - slick backline play, mauls, strong scrumming, opportunism. Not always pretty, but very effective. I reckon it will be SA vs Wales in the QF. That should be a cracker of a game.

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