South Africa focus on Hougaard

South Africa turned up to Aussie Stadium for their ritual slaughter of Georgia with the main focus of attention on the performance of fly-half Derick Hougaard.

Louis Keon’s disappointing performance with the boot against England last weekend gave the much-hyped 20-year-old Blue Bulls stand-off the chance to snatch a place in coach Rudi Straeuli’s first choice line-up.

Winger Breyton Paulse and centre Werner Greeff were others looking to impress Straeuli ahead of next weekend final Pool C encounter with Samoa.

Even though it was a largely second string Springboks outfit, there had to be some concern in the Georgian camp that they were going to be the first country to concede a century of points in a single game during the current tournament.

England ran in 84 against them a fortnight ago, since when Claude Saurel has decided to rest a few of the most important members of his side in readiness for Tuesday’s encounter with Uruguay, which he feels Georgia have a realistic chance of winning.