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Samoa the Boks' lucky charm?

Cape Town - Those of the superstitious persuasion would have been pleased to hear Jean de Villiers talking about South Africa’s history against Samoa at the Rugby World Cup and the success it brings.

The Springbok captain was ruled out of the 2015 showpiece on Saturday with a fractured jaw, but he could still find a positive - albeit based on the supernatural - that suggests that the Boks are on the right track in England.

De Villiers was sent home from the 2007 World Cup with an injury. The opposition responsible for his early return to South Africa that year? Samoa.

"Something special happened then and hopefully it can happen again," said the 109-Test Bok veteran.

Then there is the story of the hat-tricks.

"In 1995 Chester Williams scored three tries against Samoa at the World Cup, in 2007 Bryan Habana scored three tries against Samoa... JP Pietersen scored three tries against Samoa on Saturday," said De Villiers.

"So there are definitely signs coming through and hopefully we can go all the way."

Williams and Habana did score hat-tricks against Samoa in 1995 and 2007 respectively, but they actually scored four tries in those matches. Still, a hat-trick is a hat-trick. 

De Villiers added that although "it would always feel empty" winning a World Cup winner's medal without having played the bulk of the tournament, "nobody would be prouder" than him should the Boks go the distance this year.

"I don’t think that really matters anymore, how I feel about it," he said.

"If I can get another one (winner's medal) I’ll be a very happy man."

The Boks take on Scotland on Saturday. Kick-off is at 17:45. 

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