South Africa vs Samoa - What SA Learned

If you control territory, as the Boks did, the opposition are going to struggle to stay in the game.

If you manipulate the defence, as the Boks did against Samoa, rather than play predictably, as the Boks did against Japan, you are going to breach the defence far more often.

If you are effective at taking advantage of opposition errors to create attack, set up try-scoring opportunities, and finish, your opponents will be in deep trouble.

Fourie du Preez makes a huge difference to team pattern and execution, continuity and fluency. His scrumhalf skills, wise decision-making and the clear direction he gives the team are invaluable. His influence on the team’s performance is pivotal to the Springboks progress through the tournament.

Duane Vermeulen made a big difference on his return from injury, and when match-fit will make a massive difference.

Victor Matfield is a line-out winning machine on his own throw-in and remains the world’s best competing, most disruptive line-out jumper on opposition throw-in.

Jean de Villiers’s leadership and composure under pressure are significant contributors to Bok success.

Damian de Allende is an attacking force at Test level, just as he was in Super Rugby.

Frans Malherbe must be close to earning the tighthead starting spot ahead of Jannie du Plessis.

Even those who criticised Siya Kolisi’s selection for the World Cup can only have been impressed with his all-too-brief performance as a sub.

Schalk Brits is a gem. The Boks have three of the world’s best hookers.

Willie le Roux adds flair on attack and keeps defenders guessing, but he made worrying unforced errors when the game was tight in the first half – kicking into a teammate, kicking into touch-in-goal, kicking straight to an opponent who launched dangerous counter-attack, throwing an intercept pass.

Conceding 15 penalties while winning a game comfortably (and gaining 72% territory and 61% possession) is a concern. Discipline needs to improve for tighter games.

Goal-kicking will need to be more accurate to win play-off games. Compare Handré Pollard’s accuracy with that of Owen Farrell and Dan Biggar.