Springboks in control

South Africa 36 Uruguay 6

South Africa scored six first-half tries to establish a runaway 36-6 interval against World Cup Pool C opponents Uruguay at Subiaco Oval today.

Uruguay were in danger of being over-run, yet skipper Aguirre at least gave them some hope when he slotted a 30-metre penalty.

And it inspired Los Teros into another bout of committed forward play, which saw them gain a second kickable penalty in four minutes, and Aguirre duly came up trumps with a sweetly-struck kick.

Uruguay had reduced the deficit to 13 points, but they were forced into some scrambling defence on 27 minutes to prevent South African wing Thinus Delport from touching down.

South Africa quickly reasserted themselves though, and gave further evidence of their potent ball-carrying when lock Botha proved unstoppable from 10 yards. It was the Springboks’ fourth try, guaranteeing a bonus point.

The floodgates were in danger of being prised open, and South Africa struck again eight minutes before the break.

Crisp passing along the back division left Uruguay gasping for breath. When they predictably ran out of defensive numbers, left-wing Delport finished off a decisive movement.

Koen missed his third conversion from five attempts, yet he did not have long to wait for another chance.

Just three minutes after Delport’s score, Faure set off on a brilliant weaving 60-metre run which outstripped Uruguay’s defence and gave South Africa their sixth touchdown which Koen improved.

South Africa required just 66 seconds to open their account, as Uruguay were punished for some nervous play from the kick-off.

Fly-half Louis Koen’s kick took South Africa into the Uruguayan 22 and poor defence from the ensuing lineout enabled Springboks flanker Joe van Niekerk to smash his way clear and feed van der Westhuizen a scoring pass.

Koen could not convert but it was the worst possible start for Uruguay, who needed to calm their nerves and settle.

The Uruguayan defence continued to find itself under huge pressure, and South Africa prised them open for a second time inside seven minutes.

Los Teros has no answer to South Africa’s physical approach, and ace poacher van der Westhuizen rounded off another sweeping move for his second try.

This time, Koen added the extra points, and Uruguay were in danger of being totally over-run.

The South Americans though, were beginning to discover an appetite up-front, and they showed their power – with Leomoine driving forward at tighthead prop - that gave the Springboks food for thought.

Uruguay showed signs of recovering from such an alarming early onslaught, but South Africa wasted a try-scoring opportunity when van Niekerk dropped possession in open play.

Hooker Lamelas made some good hard yards for Uruguay, but approaching the end of the opening quarter, South Africa struck again.

Centre De Wet Barry made the initial break, and brilliant support work from newcomer Rossouw enabled van Niekerk to crash over. Koen converted, South Africa led 19-0 after 20 minutes.

South Africa began their World Cup campaign against Uruguay at Subiaco Oval today without controversial skipper Corne Krige.

Krige, who earlier this week described England’s Martin Johnson as the dirtiest captain in international rugby, sat out the Pool C opener against Uruguay because of hamstring cramps.

Scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen, playing in his 86th Test, took over leadership duties, while the Springboks fielded two debutants – centre Jaque Fourie and flanker Danie Rossouw.

South Africa beat Uruguay 39-3 in the 1999 World Cup, and were confidently expected to better that scoreline this time around as they prepared for next Saturday’s pivotal group game against England.

Uruguay included several survivors from that game four years ago, including the entire front-row of Rodrigo Sanchez, Diego Lamelas and Pablo Lemoine.

They were captained by centre Diego Aguirre, while his younger brother Sebastian wore the number 10 jersey.

’Los Teros’ went into the game, realistically facing a damage limitation exercise, yet neutral support was on their side among a sparsely-populated stadium some 30 minutes before kick-off.