Boks batter Namibia
Bryan Habana's record-breaking try helped guide South Africa to an 87-0 thumping of Namibia.
Last Updated: 22/09/11 11:17am
Bryan Habana's record-breaking try helped guide South Africa to an 87-0 thumping of Namibia.
Habana had gone 15 months without crossing the whitewash since joining Joost van der Westhuizen at the top of South Africa's all-time try-scoring charts on 38.
However he finally ended the barren spell when he touched down in the first-half of a one-side encounter against the Namibians.
Gio Aplon (2), Jaque Fourie, Frans Steyn, Morne Steyn, Juan de Jongh (2), Francois Hougaard (2) and Danie Rossouw also scored for a record-breaking RWC score for the Boks while they were also awarded a penalty try. Morne Steyn added 15 points from the boot, with Ruan Pienaar slotting over six conversions.
The Namibians had one or two bright moments as they tried to take the attack to their neighbours - with Tinus Du Plessis and Theuns Kotze impressing - however they got little change out of the Boks defence while they struggled up front throughout.
Having opened the scoring with a penalty through Morne Steyn, the Boks crossed the try-line through Aplon on six minutes. Namibia were guilty of coughing up possession in the tackle, with Hougaard drawing in the defence to release Aplon for an easy run in. Morne Steyn converted.
Habana crossed for the second - and his record-breaking 39th - try in the 22nd minute when he showed his pace down the left flank after the Namibians had once again lost the ball in the tackle. Morne Steyn added the extras.
Brilliant
Namibia were struggling badly up front and the pressure told after a series of collapsed scrums resulted in a penalty try. Morne Steyn converted.
The bonus point score followed just before the break, with Fourie racing through after a brilliant offload from Frans Steyn. Morne Steyn added the extras to give the defending champions a 31-0 lead.
Despite putting the result beyond doubt in the first 40 minutes, the Boks upped the tempo after the break with Frans Steyn crossing after a quick tap penalty from Hougaard and a good charge from Bakkies Botha. Morne Steyn again converted but there were worrying signs as Botha limped off.
South Africa players were perhaps guilty of going for individual glory as they pressed Namibia back however Morne Steyn finally crossed the whitewash following a textbook catch and drive, with the fly-half converting his own effort.
That sparked a raft of replacements from the Boks - and de Jongh had been on the pitch for 42 seconds when he crossed following a great charge from Pierre Spies. Replacement No.10 Pienaar converted.
Aplon quickly followed with his second try of the night, while Hougaard ghosted through as the floodgates opened. Pienaar added both conversions.
De Jongh strengthened his claim for a starting role after adding his second. Pienaar was again on target with the extras.
And the impressive Rossouw finally got the score his performance deserved in the final minutes, with Hougaard also adding his second try. Pienaar converted both.