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Cape Town - Despite being overwhelming favourites to down Samoa in their last Pool D encounter on Friday, Springbok forwards coach, Gary Gold, insists they won't take the Islanders lightly.
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According to the Beeld newspaper, the Boks boast a far more experienced line-up with almost twice as many Test matches per player than their counterparts.
The Boks also have a far better success rate at World Cup tournaments - winning almost 90% of their RWC games. And the South Africans have never lost to Samoa - with winning margins of close to 30 in all their games.
These above-mentioned statistics thus suggest it would take a monumental effort from Samoa to cause an upset - but as recent results have shown, a slight chance of an upset is not beyond the realms of possibility.
The Samoans showed about two months ago just what they are capable of when they defeated the Wallabies - against all odds - in Sydney.
And Gold is well aware that an off-day from his charges may result in defeat, which could - should Samoa win with a bonus point and also deny the Boks a point - knock the South Africans out of the tournament if Wales were to get five points in their clash against Fiji.
"It is a fact that Samoa have developed into the type of team that could topple any other team - even the Springboks - if everything falls in place for them," Gold told Beeld.
"Therefore we will take no chances in this one.
"We respect Samoa and definitely won't approach the game any different like for example one against the All Blacks or Australia."
Therefore, expect a Springbok side with their game-face on come 9h30 South African time on Friday morning.
Teams:
South Africa:
15 Pat Lambie, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Frans Steyn 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Substitutes: 16 John Smit, 17 Gurthrö Steenkamp, 18 CJ van der Linde, 19 Willem Alberts, 20 Francois Louw, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Jean de Villiers.
Samoa:
15 Paul Williams, 14 David Lemi, 13 Seilala Mapusua, 12 Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 George Stowers, 7 Maurie Faasavalu, 6 Taiasina Tuifua, 5 Kane Thompson, 4 Daniel Leo, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Mahonri Schwalger (captain), 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Substitutes: 16 Ole Avei, 17 Anthony Perenise, 18 Logovi'i Mulipola, 19 Ofisa Treviranus, 20 Filipo Lavea Levi, 21 Junior Poluleuligaga, 22 George Pisi.
WIN a pair of the new adidas rugby boots
WIN a Rugby World Cup ball
According to the Beeld newspaper, the Boks boast a far more experienced line-up with almost twice as many Test matches per player than their counterparts.
The Boks also have a far better success rate at World Cup tournaments - winning almost 90% of their RWC games. And the South Africans have never lost to Samoa - with winning margins of close to 30 in all their games.
These above-mentioned statistics thus suggest it would take a monumental effort from Samoa to cause an upset - but as recent results have shown, a slight chance of an upset is not beyond the realms of possibility.
The Samoans showed about two months ago just what they are capable of when they defeated the Wallabies - against all odds - in Sydney.
And Gold is well aware that an off-day from his charges may result in defeat, which could - should Samoa win with a bonus point and also deny the Boks a point - knock the South Africans out of the tournament if Wales were to get five points in their clash against Fiji.
"It is a fact that Samoa have developed into the type of team that could topple any other team - even the Springboks - if everything falls in place for them," Gold told Beeld.
"Therefore we will take no chances in this one.
"We respect Samoa and definitely won't approach the game any different like for example one against the All Blacks or Australia."
Therefore, expect a Springbok side with their game-face on come 9h30 South African time on Friday morning.
Teams:
South Africa:
15 Pat Lambie, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Frans Steyn 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Pierre Spies, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield (captain), 4 Danie Rossouw, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Substitutes: 16 John Smit, 17 Gurthrö Steenkamp, 18 CJ van der Linde, 19 Willem Alberts, 20 Francois Louw, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Jean de Villiers.
Samoa:
15 Paul Williams, 14 David Lemi, 13 Seilala Mapusua, 12 Eliota Fuimaono Sapolu, 11 Alesana Tuilagi, 10 Tusi Pisi, 9 Kahn Fotuali'i, 8 George Stowers, 7 Maurie Faasavalu, 6 Taiasina Tuifua, 5 Kane Thompson, 4 Daniel Leo, 3 Census Johnston, 2 Mahonri Schwalger (captain), 1 Sakaria Taulafo.
Substitutes: 16 Ole Avei, 17 Anthony Perenise, 18 Logovi'i Mulipola, 19 Ofisa Treviranus, 20 Filipo Lavea Levi, 21 Junior Poluleuligaga, 22 George Pisi.
