The Blitzbokke made heavy weather of their 19-12 win over Samoa at the HSBC World Sevens Series tournament in Dubai on Friday after the sides were level-pegging at seven points apiece.
Two second-half tries finally undid Samoa who surprisingly offered stout defence although their efforts were helped by some uncharacteristic errors by the South Africans.
Siviwe Soyizwapi, Werner Kok and Muller du Plessis scored the matchwinning tries. Branco du Preez and Rosko Specman were on target with a conversion each.
Samoa responded with tries by John Vaili and Alatasi Tupou, while Tila Mealoi managed one conversion.
Earlier, the Blitzbokke defeated Zimbabwe 31-0 in their opening Pool A clash.
In their final game on Friday, the Blitzbokke will take on Argentina at 5.53pm (SA time).
African News Agency (ANA)