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Hello and welcome to ESPN's live coverage of the Pool B clash between South Africa and USA!
You can read the preview HERE.
South Africa XV: Willie Le Roux, Bryan Habana, Jesse Kriel, Damian De Hollande, Lwazi Mvovo, Handre Pollard, Fourie du Preez (captain); Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck du Plessis, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Lodewyk De Jager, Francois Louw, Schalk Burger, Duane Vermeulen
USA XV: Blaine Scully, Brett Thompson, Folau Nua, Andrew Suniula, Zach Test, Shalom Suniula, Niku Kruga; Samu Manoa (captain), John Quill, Danny Barrett, Matthew Trouville, Louis Stanfill, Chris Baumann, Phil Thiel, Oli Kilifi
Follow our man on the ground, Tom Hamilton (@tomESPNscrum), who'll be providing us with his first hand insights straight from the Olympic Stadium.
Also see…
- Today's other game between Namibia and Georgia
- Nonu winning his 100th cap for New Zealand tomorrow
- O'Connell wants more from their pack when they face Fran
ce
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And we're under way! USA - who're wearing their blue kit - kick us off. South Africa in green.
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| 2 |
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And it didn't take long for USA to retrieve the ball from the kick off and they've had all the ball since they initiated the game a few moments ago. They've also got the first penalty of the game on the half way line as Shalk Burger's neck roll tackle was penalised. They're going for the kick, too... It's a big one.
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| 3 |
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Good effort from the kick, but just a tad short. Remains 0-0.
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| 4 |
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Some real intent from South Africa's defence at the minute. While USA have had pretty much all the ball, they've struggled to gain any territory. South African scrum now on half way.
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| 5 |
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South Africa's turn for a penalty now as USA penalised for wheeling the scrum. Pollard kicks for the lineout. On first viewing, South Africa's scrum already looks a lot stronger than their opponents. 40 kilos between the two as well so not a huge surprise in fairness.
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| 6 |
5 - 0 |
SOUTH AFRICA TRY!
Bit of a scrappy try but they'll take it.
South Africa's couple of lineouts here have paid dividends as USA have struggled to keep their driving maul at bay. Some poor Springbok handling in the build up meant they basically had to roll it along the floor to Damian de Allende but he still made sure of the five points. Poor USA defence, they just let the South African centre guide home under the sticks with ease.
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| 7 |
7 - 0 |
Pollard easily converts!
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| 10 |
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USA have a penalty and they've now gone for the lineout themselves. Trying to replicate the pressure Springboks pressure which paid well a few moments ago...
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| 12 |
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And they've botched it - South Africa's Lood de Jager steals and now we have some Springboks possession.
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| 13 |
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Not for long though as USA take the ball back. They've just put a couple of nice phases of play together too, USA seem well up for this.
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| 14 |
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And they've now got a penalty! They're going for the three points, too.
Misses!
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| 15 |
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USA look like they're finally making some terrirtory after all their possession, but they're pulled back for not releasing in the ruck. Springboks pen, kicked for the lineout.
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| 16 |
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Stats
South Africa tackles made so far: 35
USA tackles made so far: 3 (They've also missed three aswell!)
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| 17 |
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The Springboks lineout leads to the USA scrum, and we're back to the ball being in the hands of the men in blue. Really positive start from the Eagles, but South Africa's line is made of titanium - they just can't find a way through!
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| 19 |
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Ouch. Knee in the ribs on Schalk Burger and he COULD be on his way off here. Play has been stopped. Was always the risk Meyer was making playing the big guns here...
...Nope! Of course not. He's as tough as they come and he's staying on. Steel.
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| 20 |
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THAT REALLY WAS OUCH!
Habana, chasing down the high ball, clatters Scully full on. Huge hit and Scully falls on his head. Huge. Both are okay, somehow. Habana could've been binned but TMO established that both went for the ball - no malicious intent.
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| 23 |
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Stop and start nature to this game, we've already seen eight penalties - five of those coming from South African infringements. However, the Springboks have possession with some real attacking intent now. Pollard makes a 10 metre diagonal line break run - could this be a try?
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| 24 |
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Almost. Great last ditch tackle. Pollard looks for offload but he just couldn't find it in time. His side retrieve from the ruck and chuck the ball back to Jesse Kriel who drives for the line. TMO proves Kruger's tackle managed to hold out the Springboks centre. No try! Scrum now...
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| 25 |
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Referee has brought it back for the scrum penalty. South Africa to feed another scrum now. They are touching distance away from another try here.
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| 26 |
12 - 0 |
And again! USA collapsed.
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| 27 |
14 - 0 |
PENALTY TRY FOR SOUTH AFRICA
Awful, awful kick from Pollard - he's clearly not left footed as he's just shown there. Fourie du Preez collected from the scrum for the Springboks and threw it to Pollard. The fly half then kicked into the corner, badly. Let off for him as his side was then awarded the penalty try for repeated scrum infringements from the Eagles.
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| 30 |
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Another scrum, this time South Africa. Edge of the USA 22.
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| 33 |
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Springboks prove dominant at the scrum again as they push forward five metres or so before offloading left. Meyer's men pump the ball down the line and weren't far from another try, but they were then penalised for tackling off their feet. Back to USA possession as they have the penalty which is kicked for the lineout
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| 35 |
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The initial period of USA possession which dominated the start of this game has simmered down now and South Africa are picking up the pace...
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| 36 |
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Eagles need to improve their defending on their right wing. Mvovo causing problems and they've now got the scrum just five metres out from the try line, again...
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| 38 |
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Huge moment that. South Africa use the scrum well and are just a whisker away from the try, working the ball along the line well. However, the final pass to Habana - which would have definitely secured the try - was intercepted by Scully. Great stuff from the full back, especially as he then proceeded to run to half way before being taken down.
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| 39 |
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Scully's interception has paid well as they've even managed to break into the Springboks 22 for the first time.
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| 40 |
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Half time! Just as the USA gain some territory, Springboks are penalised for not releasing and we're then brought to a halt.
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| 40+1 |
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HALF TIME
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| 40 |
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And we're back under way. Springboks kick off.
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| 41 |
21 - 0 |
SOUTH AFRICA TRY
International try number 62 for Habana!
Du Preez chips into the right flank where Habana is in acres of space with barely a USA body in sight! Easy as pie for the winger who runs with ease to the try line. TMO had to check for an offside but all is okay going with the on field decision.
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| 43 |
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Some more South African pressure now as there sheer talent is finally starting to overpower the Eagles. The men in blue are working well still, but have started this half tackling rather than the ones being tackled like the previous 40.
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| 44 |
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And they're making it pay here. They're just metres away from the try line and last ditch American tackles are flying in hard - can they make it for try number four....
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| 45 |
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No, not yet anyway. Referee has awarded the scrum to SA just five metres from their own try line. Still not great news as South Africa have dominated in this department all day.
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| 46 |
26 - 0 |
SOUTH AFRICA TRY!
We have it! Bismarck du Plessis has made it.
Vermeulen does a lot of the hard work emerging from the scrum with the ball, but it requires the Springboks No.2 to make sure of the next five points. Brute force to power the extra couple of metres over the line. Another relatively simple try.
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| 48 |
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USA attack - for once - but they've again been penalised for not releasing in the ruck. The ball is kick upfield for the lineout on the right flank. South Africa showing no signs of stopping here - they want more!
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| 50 |
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Another South Africa scrum just inside USA territory.
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| 51 |
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USA penalised for not releasing. Same scenario here as Pollard kicks for the lineout.
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| 52 |
31 - 0 |
SOUTH AFRICA TRY!
And it pays! Driving maul pays dividends from the lineout as Francois Louw stays low and using his power to propells himself and the ball that last metre over the line.
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| 53 |
33 - 0 |
Pollard - conversion
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| 54 |
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South Africa seem to have found their cushion at 33 points as they're opting to run the ball out of their own half rather than kick it. They're looking more threatening as the game goes on. Despite USA's 12 day rest, they're flagging.
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| 56 |
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| 58 |
38 - 0 |
Ball's being worked continuously down the South African right flank. Couple of Springbok lineouts aren't as successful as the others with regards to result, but they're pushing...
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| 59 |
40 - 0 |
SOUTH AFRICA TRY!
And it's their right winger Habana with the goods again. Another easy try. really, Du Preez passes to Allende who then releases Habana on his left. Once again, he runs home unchallenged with no American bodies in his view. Move resulted from the lineout - again - a real weapon for the Springboks.
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| 60 |
45 - 0 |
SOUTH AFRICA TRY!
HABANA HAT TRICK!
His 15th World Cup try!
Clinical. USA make a complete mess in the maul and the ball fumbles out of herd full of players. Habana is the quickest to react and collects the ball before running home. Another simple try. South Africa destroying USA now.
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| 62 |
47 - 0 |
Steyn - conversion
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| 64 |
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For the first time in a long time. America have the ball and are on the offense. They gain the penalty from the scrum and their forwards bombard in the right direction to finally have a go at gaining some territory. South Africa holding out for now.
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| 66 |
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South Africa lineout along their left flank along the American 22.
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| 67 |
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Ooooo! Nearly four for Habana! Lineout's scrappy but after a few moments the Springboks do manage to work it along the line to their winger. A little chip ball through only needed the No.14 to pick it up off the floor but he couldn't Nearly.
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| 68 |
52 - 0 |
SOUTH AFRICA TRY!
South Africa completely obliterating USA in the maul. Similar scenario to the previous try from Louw - he keeps his head down and guides it home. Pretty simple from the maul. Pollard's kick isn't too impressive though...
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| 72 |
57 - 0 |
South African lineout on the USA 22. You can't help but fear for the Eagles again here...
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| 73 |
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SOUTH AFRICA TRY!
Yes. Again. Really poor defence from the USA. Chris Baumann and Shalom Suniula are split apart by Jesse Kriel after the Springboks pump the ball along their line - left to right - from the lineout a few moments ago. USA giving up here.
Nice run from the Springboks centre but pretty straight forward in the end.
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| 76 |
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Springboks continue what they've done all half which is attack. USA on the back foot still but, as opposed to what they've been doing so far, the tackles they're putting in at the minute are in an attempt to keep the SA side out of their 22 rather than their own try line.
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| 77 |
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Looks like we're finishing this game how we started it with a bit of American possession. Could they sneak a few points in before it's over?
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| 78 |
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Well, they have a deep-ish lineout after a high tackle from Mvovo. Let's see if they can make something from this - they're inside the South African half...
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| 79 |
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Nope! Can't make it pay and South Africa pinch the ball back again before the referee awards a scrum a moment later for a Springboks knock on. Meyer's men have really made up for amends for their opening loss to Japan with a dominant display here, albeit much better in the second half.
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| 80+1 |
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Late linebreak from the Eagles almost results in a try but a Willie Le Roux challenge stops all that. Good finish from America considering the pummelling they've had at times in this match.
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| 80+3 |
62 - 0 |
SOUTH AFRICAN TRY!
Well, I take that back. Fantastic football skills from Mvovo as he kicks along the deck twice before individually chasing it down to secure the final try. Shame for America as they looked like they could have a few points in the locker after arguably their most imposing part of the game towards the end.
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| 80+4 |
64 - 0 |
FULL TIME
They make the conversion kick and it's done!
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| 80+5 |
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FULL TIME ANALYSIS
ESPN's Tom Hamilton had this to say:
"In the end the Boks simply had too much class and experience. The much-changed USA side lived with South Africa for the first-half but come the second 40 and after, you expect, a half-time dressing down from Heyneke Meyer the Boks pulled away with Bryan Habana in ruthless form as he drew level with Jonah Lomu on 15 World Cup tries. The Boks ran in 10 tries in total and after their dreadful start to the tournament, they have come through as pool leaders. They will lament various opportunities they let slip against the Eagles but if they can continue in the same way they played the second-half, they will be a team that no one wants to face in the latter stages of the competition. For the USA, they rarely had a chance to attack and when they did they looked short of ideas. "
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