South Africa's Springboks steamrolled their way into the 2019 RWC quarterfinals with a bonus-point 66-7 win over Canada in their final Pool B match at the Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe City, Japan, on Tuesday.
After a 47-0 halftime score the chances of a 100-pointer loomed large but the Springboks, despite enjoying a numerical advantage, were restricted to three second-half tries after a seven-try first-half blitz.
For the capacity 30 000 crowd, the match was over as a contest, almost before it had started as the Springboks' strike power left Canada's defence in tatters with a three-try burst in the opening 11 minutes.
It wasn't even a matter of Canada playing catch-up because it was one-way traffic as the Springboks scored 47 unanswered points on the back of seven tries in 40 minutes.
Springboks class in evidence straight from the kick-off when they won an early aerial battle and a deft kick into space which left Canada’s defence exposed deep inside their half. There were also touches of individual brilliance which left Canada floored.
EARNED IT: S'Busiso Nkosi scores a try. Picture: Kyodo News/AP.
After 11 minutes the Springboks ran in three tries, two of which were converted by flyhalf Elton Jantjies, for a 19-0 runaway lead. Inside centre Damian de Allende, leftwing Sibusiso Nkosi and scrumhalf Cobus Reinach were the try-scorers.
After this hammering, the first scrums in the match materialised and the Springbok pack offered up a scrumming lesson that decimated Canada.
By now the match looked like the Springbok B team was having an opposed training session as Canada had no answer to the wave of attacks that resulted in two more tries before the half reached its halfway point.
WARRIOR: Damian de Allende continued his superb form at the World Cup against Canada. Picture: Kyodo News/AP.
The two touchdowns in ensuing play followed as cohesive teamwork paid handsome dividends and Reinach crossed for both to bring up a rare Rugby World Cup hattrick. Both conversions were on target for a 33-0 scoreline.
Just after a converted try by Springbok rightwing Warrick Gelant (40-0), Scotland were reduced to 14 players when England referee Luke Pearce red-carded substitute Josh Larsen for dangerous play at a ruck. Larsen had earlier replaced lock Kyle Baillie who suffered a match-ending injury.
TRANSFORMED: Canada's Tyler Ardron returned to the field determined. Picture: Kyodo News/AP.
The Springboks ensured that they would remain ahead of the stadium clock when inside centre Frans Steyn intercepted a Canada pass in the red zone and dived over for a converted try for a 47-0 halftime lead after 40 minutes of carnage.
It was a transformed Canada side that returned for second-half action and they surprised friend and foe when they pinned the Springboks in their own half in a seven-minute passage of play.
During that time, they secured a turn-over, won two close-in penalties (which were booted into touch to set up mauls from line-outs) and a converted try to great applause from the Kobe crowd.
Openside flanker Matt Heaton managed the try and flyhalf Peter Nelson was on target with the conversion (47-7).
Five minutes before the hour mark, the Springboks' machine swung into action again with a converted try by hooker Schalk Brits (54-7).
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/Springboks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Springbokshead coach Rassie Erasmus gave his thoughts after securing a place in #RWC2019 quarter-finals with win over Canada #RSAvCAN pic.twitter.com/hbIEiXbX9J
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup)
Following this advance, the Springboks made a raft of substitutions, five in all, and tries by fullback Damian Willemse and replacement prop Frans Malherbe followed. Jantjies struck one conversion for a 66-7 lead.
As it turned out that was the final score in the match as the 14-man Canada offered greater resistance while the Springboks failed to match their first-half intensity.
Scorers:
South Africa 66 (47):
Tries: Damian de Allende, Sibusiso Nkosi, Cobus Reinach (3), Warrick Gelant, Frans Steyn, Schalk Brits, Damian Willemse, Frans Malherbe.
Conversions: Elton Jantjies (8).
Canada 7 (0):
Try: Matt Heaton.
Conversion: Peter Nelson.
African News Agency