The vultures were certainly out in force at Villa Park, hoping to see the sagging Springboks stumble once again.

When the ground announcer asked the crowd before the teams ran out whom they were supporting, the Samoans received by far the loudest cheer. It appeared that Springboks followers, who are usually the most dogmatic of supporters, had suddenly lost their voice or wanted to distance themselves from the Dad's Army outfit that had suffered the country's most embarrassing rugby moment when overwhelmed by Japan last weekend; it was time to keep some distance away from a team that just eight years after being crowned world champions was now the laughing stock of the World Cup tournament.

Even Samoa's coaching staff were dressed for a party, wearing the most impressive of tropical dress-shirts that emphasised even further how old fashioned the Springbok team dress garb was. The South African team blazer is out of an old Goodbye Mr Chips movie.

But that's in fashion with a team that has opted for a Golden Oldies touch at this tournament - with eight players who ran out against Samoa over the 30-years mark. This is the stuttering Springboks, rather than a staggering Springbok outfit.

Experience is one thing, but, as discovered when Japan exposed them, it is dangerous if it is covered in cobwebs.

The old guard saved them against Samoa, with their veteran winger J.P Pietersen finishing with a hat-trick of tries, but once again their overall performance was hardly startling. At least this time South Africa didn't just go through the paces and believe something good would eventually happen - which led to their downfall in Brighton. The commitment was again there, but the delivery at times was wonky.

JP Pietersen of South Africa breaks clear to score the opening try © Getty Images

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Their performance was sometimes as stilted and fragmented as a Golden Oldies match, with the Springboks often relying on one-out play to get them out of trouble. There were some good moments, when they tried to stretch the Samoan defence with cross-field kicks, but often it was a little bit off - leading to several tries being missed through a foot going over the sideline or a pass fumbled just before the opposition line. It was the only in the final 10 minutes when they were on top of their game, taking advantage of a rapidly tiring opposition.

South Africa's Victor Matfield wins a lineout © Getty Images

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Samoa did threaten for a short period but they failed to match the intensity they had shown in one of the most riveting Tests matches of the year when the All Blacks played for the first time in Apia last July. The All Blacks certainly knew what hit them that day.

South Africa were also pounded early, with Springboks hooker Adriaan Strauss collected by one staggering power tackle from Samoan back-rower T.J Ioane. But the Samoan resistance gradually dropped a level, enabling the Springboks to take control of the game well before the break. A silly pass by their No.10, Michael Stanley, that was easily intercepted by Pietersen certainly eased the pressure in the 14th minute, and a succession of penalties then gave the Springboks the required points gap for them to be a bit more adventurous.

The Springboks ended up with six tries and an appealing scoreline - but they are having themselves on if they believe they are now back on track. South Africa will most probably finish top of their pool, but they still appear decidedly short of being a considerable tournament threat.

Meanwhile, the highlight of the day was provided by the opposition. The shirts worn by the Samoan coaches were something else. If the World Cup organisers got onto them, they would become one of the biggest sellers at their overpriced merchandising tents. No doubt a big hit in the Birmingham nightclubs.