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Duane Vermeulen, 7. Schalk Burger, 6.

“This is just our first step forward at this World Cup and something we can build from here”, Vermeulen said.

South Africa seek to revive their Rugby World Cup hopes on Saturday against Samoa who bring an unpredictability to the Pool B match in which they will bid to inflict further humiliation on the Springboks. JP Pietersen scored three tries, with Schalk Burger, Schalk Brits and Bryan...

“I thought about it long and hard and came to the conclusion that this is a must-win game and who are you going to back?” said Meyer.

Meyer has pulled no punches since the 34-32 loss to Japan in the opening Pool B match, picking out several of the team’s more experienced players for not sticking to instructions.

Ulster’s Ruan Pienaar will start for South Africa in their World Cup opener against Japan on Saturday afternoon (4.45pm kick-off).

There’s just two days to go before the Rugby World Cup begins in the UK this week, with Japan playing their first game on Saturday against tough opponents South Africa.

Form: Victories over Japan, the United States and Canada in the Pacific Nations Cup this summer will have given Tonga confidence ahead of the World Cup but defeats to Fiji, as well as Scotland in November past year, suggest they are still outsiders to reach the knock-out stages.

South Africa finished bottom of the pile in the recent Rugby World Championship following defeats to eventual winners Australia, New Zealand and Argentina but will nevertheless still be considered as one of the front-runners as they chase a third World Cup title following...