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South Africa got the defence of their title off to a positive start on Sunday (Monday morning AEST) when a second-half surge saw them overpower a toothless Scotland 18-3 in the Rugby World Cup’s “group of death”.
In a tense first half, two Manie Libbok penalties had South Africa ahead in the Pool B clash in Marseille, but a morale-boosting scrum penalty shortly before half-time, slotted by Finn Russell, gave the Scots a lift as they headed into the changing rooms 6-3 down.
Manie Libbok kicks a penalty for South Africa against South Africa at the Stade de Marseille.Credit: AP
The Springboks, however, came out with a new intensity and two tries within three minutes effectively settled the outcome.
A typically powerful set of ball carries eventually created the space for Pieter Steph du Toit to charge over and then a brilliantly disguised Libbok kick found Kurt-Lee Arendse inexplicably in acres of space to catch and fall over the line and the shell-shocked Scots never looked able to mount any sort of comeback.
South Africa will now be highly fancied to progress to the quarter-finals while Scotland, ranked fifth in the world, are likely to need to beat world No.1 Ireland to avoid a pool-stage exit.
Japan too good for debutants Chile
Elsewhere, Chile showed no signs of nerves in their first World Cup, even taking an early lead against Japan before eventually going down 42-12 in their Pool D match in Toulouse.
Chile, one of three South American teams in the tournament, played boldly despite picking up two yellow cards.
They got off to a stunning start and, thanks to a mix of flair and good fortune, were awarded a try when flyhalf Rodrigo Fernandez dotted down after pouncing on a loose ball in the sixth minute.
Japan’s Rikiya Matsuda kicks a conversion during their Pool D match against Chile at Stadium de Toulouse.Credit: AP
Japan, however, scored 21 unanswered points to take control of a physical encounter in searing heat.
Reuters
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