Springboks face off against Samoans

South Africa and Samoa came face-to-face in a World Cup Pool C eliminator at the Suncorp Stadium today.

The winners could prepare for a likely quarter-final appointment with New Zealand in Melbourne next Saturday, while the losers knew they would be on their way home.

The Springboks, beaten by England in Perth a fortnight ago, handed exciting fly-half prospect Derick Hougaard the number 10 jersey instead of Louis Koen.

Koen endured a goalkicking nightmare during the England clash, missing a handful of penalty attempts, so much was expected of his Blue Bulls colleague Hougaard.

Springboks coach Rudolf Straeuli also made changes in the front-row, calling up hooker John Smit and tighthead prop Faan Rautenbach. Danie Coetzee and Richard Bands dropped down to the bench.

Samoa, having given England a major Pool C fright in Melbourne last weekend, were forced into a midfield switch.

Gloucester centre Terry Fanolua was ruled out because of a broken thumb, so Romi Ropati took his place in midfield alongside Brian Lima. But the South Sea Islanders were otherwise unchanged following the 35-22 England defeat.

A South African defeat would mean a Test farewell for their scrum-half star Joost van der Westhuizen, who was set to quit international rugby after the tournament.