South Africa 49 Fiji 3:South Africa put their World Cup challenge back on track with a more assured performance in their 49-3 win over Fiji. The Springboks had come in for heavy criticism for their stuttering 17-16 victory over Wales in their opening pool game.
But the defending champions were rewarded for a more expansive approach and a rock solid defence as they ended hopes of an upset in Wellington.
Gurthro Steenkamp, Jaque Fourie, Frans Steyn, Morne Steyn, Tendai Mtawarira and Danie Rossouw all scored tries to secure the bonus point. Frans Steyn also added a penalty, while namesake Morne landed a further 16 points with the boot.
Fiji certainly had their moments in attack but despite repeated phases, they struggled to get the quick ball they needed to stretch the Boks defence.
And in the end they had to settle for a penalty from Seremaia Bai for their only points.
Things got off to a shaky start for the Boks as Morne Steyn was off target with a regulation penalty attempt, while Fiji were able to pin them back in the 22 with a series of phases.
However Frans Steyn sent a booming 55m penalty over to put the Boks in front but Fiji hit back as they levelled through the boot of Bai after another good spell of pressure.
The Flying Fijians continued to stream forward but the Boks defence stood firm, while the pack worked tirelessly to slow the ball down at the breakdown.
And the Pacific islanders were left ruining their missed chances as Steenkamp powered over in the corner. Morne Steyn converted and added a penalty shortly after.
South Africa moved further ahead when Fourie notched up his 31st international try after Kini Murimurivalu had initially failed to catch Frans Steyn's kick ahead.
And although Morne Steyn missed the conversion and a penalty, he finished the half with a successful three-pointer to put the Boks 21-3 in front.
After a scrappy start to the second half, a moment of magic saw the Boks cross for their third try, with Heinrich Brussow chipping over the top for Frans Steyn to gather and step inside. Morne Steyn was on target with the extras.
Despite the quality of the game dropping, with the pace and defensive efforts telling on both sides, the Boks were able to register their 100th World Cup try when Morne Steyn dived over. The fly-half converted his own try.
Naipolioni Nalaga thought he had finally breached the Boks defence when he dived over in the corner but play was called back for a forward pass.
And South Africa rubbed salt into the wounds as Mtawarira flopped over from a yard after Frans Steyn had been stopped just short. Morne Steyn brought his personally tally to 19 with the extras.
Nalaga dived over again with nine minutes left but this time the ball was knocked out of his grasp by JP Pietersen.
Again the Boks made the most of the let-off, with the impressive Rossouw crashing through with three minutes left. Morne Steyn was on target with his kick once again.
