SA were made to work hard by Fiji in a game that the Bokke failed to dominate. The Bokke did not stick to their game plan and these wrong tactical decisions nearly caused another upset at RWC 2007.

SA started the game well and went out to a 13-0 lead thanks to tries by Jaque Fourie and John Smit and it looked like the Bokke had the game wrapped up. Then SA decided to vary their game plan and they tried to play open running rugby. This style of play suits Fiji, they are the best 7’s players in the world, and they made a great comeback. With 20 minutes left on the clock the scores were level and Fiji were making the most of SA’s lack of tactical surety. John Smit managed to calm his team down and with the team going back to doing the basics well SA managed to secure victory. Jake White will not be happy with the way his team played for the first 60 minutes but they did show a degree of calmness in the last 20 minutes. SA must think that the officials at the RWC have something against them. Fiji was allowed to get away with dangerous tackles, swinging arms, offside at the ruck and throwing the ball in skew at the line outs. Hopefully the SA management will take this up with the citing official and there will be action taken against the foul play of Fiji. Final score: SA 37 Fiji 20

SARB decided to rate the SA players on their performance:

15. Percy Montgomery 6/10: Missed a few kicks at goal but still a solid showing.

14. JP Pietersen 6.5/10: Scored a good try and made a try saving tackle. In general a good test

13. Jaque Fourie 7.5/10: The best SA back on the park. Scored a nice try and defended well.

12. Francois Steyn 4.5/10: His worst performance at inside centre. Tried to much on his own and put his team under pressure.

11. Bryan Habana 5.5/10: Made some telling tackles but not effective with ball in hand.

10. Butch James 7/10: Defended well and kicked SA into good postion when under pressure.

9. Fourie du Preez 4.5/10: HIs worst test for his country. Service wasslow and his tactical kicking not on song.

8. Danie Rossouw 5/10: Looked like he was still struggling with injury and not effective as ball carrier,

7. Juan Smith 8.5/10: The flanker played realy well, tackled like a demon and scored a good try. Best SA player on display.

6. Schalk Burger 7/10: Slipped a few tackles and should have scored from an attacking scrum but otherwise he played well and got through a lot of work.

5. Victor Matfield 6.5/10: Showed good touches with ball in hand and dominated his own line out.

4. Bakkies Botha 7/10: The big man made some telling tackles and never stopped trying

3. Jannie du Plessis 7/10: Solid performance in the scrums and did his bit in the loose.

2. John Smit 7.5/10: The captain scored a good try and kept his charges calm under pressure.

1. Os du Randt 6.5/10: Scrummed well and a couple of huge hits

Reserves:

Wikus van Heerden 6.5/10: Playing the best rugby of his career and offers more than Danie Rossouw. Deserves to be in the starting XV

Gurthro Steenkamp 6/10: Replaced Os and drilled the Fiji scrum. Made some big hits on defence.

The rest of the reserves had no influence on the game and so does not warrant ratings.

SARB man of the match: Juan Smith