Former champions put down marker

Pool A/South Africa 59  Samoa 7:As a statement of intent South Africa's opening argument at the World Cup couldn't have been more eloquent. In a hugely combative contest at the Parc des Princes they demonstrated the aptitude, mental and physical to establish their bona fides as genuine contenders to repeat their tournament success of 1995.

Despite the disparity on the scoreboard this was anything but a canter for the Springboks, especially in the opening 40 minutes when Samoa caused them serious problems and but for some questionable officiating the Pacific Islanders would have been better placed to sustain their challenge after the interval.

They could take issue with half a dozen decisions that were resolved in South Africa's favour, a couple of which led to Springbok tries. Schalk Burger, who otherwise had a magnificent match, was fortunate to avoid a yellow card for a head-high forearm on the Samoan scrumhalf Junior Polu that might charitably have been described as clumsy - and that at a time when the game was still a contest.

The Samoans signalled their intent from the opening kick-off when they ran the ball from their own 22 and while it ended with a handling error, it was an aperitif for some wonderfully athletic and skilful rugby allied to their more traditional values where the ball carrier invariably chose the shortest route between two points.

None epitomised this more than number eight Henry Tuilagi, whose bullocking, full-frontal charges drew gasps from the crowd and gulps from the Springboks' massed ranks as they formed a nervous human blockade.

The Samoans also enjoyed the distinction of claiming arguably the try of the match, a classic backline double bluff.

Trailing 9-0 at the time to three penalties from South African fullback Percy Montgomery, Daniel Leo provided quick ball off the top from a lineout, centre Jerry Meafou passed to midfield partner Gavin Williams, who turned his back as if to pass to outhalf Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, who was looping outside his centres. Instead Williams simply turned around and raced 35 metres to touch down under the posts, adding the conversion himself.

A disallowed try at the start of the second half by secondrow Joe Tekori for a transgression that wasn't immediately obvious was to prove something of a Samoan swansong.

At that point the Springboks led 21-7, and galvanised by the escape, they upped the pace and intensity as their opponents visibly wilted.

Bryan Habana and Montgomery had scored tries in the first half and they would continue in that vein after the break.

There was much to admire in the manner in which the South Africans punched holes, pummelling their opponents up front, launching the marauding Burger and Juan Smith into midfield and offloading beautifully in the tackle. The handling was sumptuous; the angles of running and support play wonderfully precise. It was a classic example of intelligent use of space and ruthless finishing.

Montgomery won the match-of-the-match award, scoring 29 points including two tries, but it could easily have gone to left wing Habana, who crossed the Samoan line five times, on four of those occasions for tries - the last one was called back for a forward pass.

Habana was modesty personified when discussing his contribution: "As a team we played unbelievably well; there is not one individual who can be singled out. My role in the team is to score tries and I like scoring tries. If I make a contribution to what is a great team effort then I'm happy.

"I like pressure to be put on me. It's the start of the tournament. We have a long way to go," he added before offering a thought or two on the upcoming clash with the defending champions.

"England are going to throw something totally different at us. England have experience, they have a lot of guys from 2003, champion players. It's going to be a lot tougher for 80 minutes."

JP Pietersen and Jacques Fourie also claimed tries, making it eight for the backs, but it would be churlish to ignore the work of the pack in creating the space and room for their team-mates to flourish.

The Springbok eight took seven lineouts against the throw and also shunted the Samoans off their own put-in at scrum time on two occasions. It was that set-piece frailty that contributed to eroding the islanders' confidence, denying them a territorial foothold to sustain pressure.

One concern for South African coach Jake White will be the elbow injury to centre Jean de Villiers that forced him to retire and at this point he is rated doubtful for Friday night's clash with England at the Stade de France.

He reflected on an impressive victory: "It was tough. It didn't go as we expected. It was a really physical performance (from Samoa). It was tough competition. At one stage, when it was 14-7, I was worried. full credit to Samoa."

But to South Africa the spoils and crucially the momentum going forward to the pool's pivotal clash.

Scoring sequence. 2 mins: Montgomery penalty, 3-0; 9 mins: Montgomery penalty, 6-0; 16 mins: Montgomery penalty; 22 mins: Williams, try, Williams conversion, 9-7; 36 mins: Habana try, 14-7; 40(+2) mins: Montgomery try, Montgomery conversion, 21-7. Half-time: 21-7. 47 mins: Fourie try, Montgomery conversion, 28-7; 54 mins: Montgomery try, 33-7; 56 mins: Habana try, Montgomery conversion, 40-7; 69 mins: Habana try, Montgomery conversion; 47-7; 81 mins: Habana try, 52-7; 88 mins: Pietersen try, Montgomery conversion, 59-7.

SOUTH AFRICA: P Montgomery; JP Piersen, J Fourie, J de Villiers, B Habana; B James, F du Preez; O du Randt, J Smit (capt), CJ van der Linde; B Botha, V Matfield; S Burger, J Smith, D Rossouw. Replacements: F Stein for de Villiers (44 mins); B Botha for du Randt (52 mins); W ven Heerden for Rossouw, A Pretorious for James (both 60 mins); B du Plessis for Smit (63 mins); J Muller for Botha, E Januarie for du Preez (both 66 mins); du Randt for Van der Linde (71 mins).

SAMOA: D Lemi; L Fa'atau, G Williams, J Meafou, A Tuilagi; E Fuimaono-Sapolu, J Polu; J Va'a, M Schwalger, C Johnston; J Tekori, K Thompson, D Leo, S Sititi (capt), H Tuilagi. Replacements: A Vaeluaga for Henry Tuilagi, J Purdie for Tekori (both 57 mins); L Crichton for Fuimaono-Sapolu (60 mins); B Lima for Fa'atau, E Seveali'I for Meafou (both 61 mins); K Lealamanua for Va'a (63 mins); T Fuga for Lima (66 mins).

Referee: P Honiss (New Zealand).