AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP) — If the Samoans had to go at the Rugby World Cup, they were determined to take some Springboks with them.
Defending champion South Africa led 13-0 and was showing glimpses of championship-winning form Friday before a counter-assault from Samoa, which launched attack after brutal attack before losing 13-5.
The unbeaten South Africans advanced to the quarterfinals and achieved some milestones at the World Cup, including Bryan Habana’s 10th try and skipper John Smit’s 16th consecutive match — even if that lasted a couple of minutes before he was yellow carded for a professional foul.
It was the kind of bruising, energy-absorbing game that would have delighted South Africa’s potential opponents in the knockout rounds.
