What's happening
South Africa - Samoa

November 1 Match

WHAT'S HAPPENING? (posted 2nd November 2003)
More than 48,000 people turned up to Suncorp stadium yesterday afternoon to watch the South Africa team take on Samoa. After Samoa's performance last weekend against England the crowd was expecting a really good game. The game was good - but it certainly wasn't close, and South Africa walloped the Samoans 60-10 - eight tries to one! Ugh!

In the first half Samoa had plenty of opportunities to score, however their backline just couldn't get their catching together at all - dropping I don't know how many balls that had they taken cleanly they would probably have scored given that they had numbers and overlaps. The crowd groaned and the majority were going for Samoa. I asked the guy sitting next to me why he thought everybody loved Samoa so much. He told me it's because no one can stand South Africa :)) heh.. I know that there were very loud boos when South Africa attempted field goals. I reckon that's quite rude actually, Australian crowds don't normally do a lot of booing - bad sportsmanship. Must be all the non rugby people coming out or something during RWC.


The Boks were clean and clinical in the first half, and led 31-3 by half time. The Samoans came out trying though in the second half and sparked into life. Derick Hougaard who had a great game for South Africa was floored by Brian Lima - bringing loud cheering from the crowd. The Bok's defence finally broke - even if for only a short time, and Samoa's lock Palepoi scored for Samoa. But South Africa were on a roll and scored again and again.

There was an unfortunate incident right on the full time whistle. Louis Koen was about to kick a conversion attempt, and some idiot from the crowd jumped the fence and tried to tackle Koen. The idiot landed up on his head though and knocked himself out! He had to be stretchered off. What a dill!

Samoa really didn't look in the hunt all game, and South Africa remained composed and focussed throughout the game. Provided NZ win this evening, South Africa will be facing the All Blacks down in Melbourne next Saturday. WHO will I cheer for in that match? :)

Postscript: the screamer from the last games was nowhere to be seen at the game yesterday - Yay! But I'm going to be missing these Saturday afternoon rugby games at Suncorp :/