Steenkamp and Fourie tries give SA half-time advantage

HT: South Africa 21 Fiji 3

First-half tries from Gurthro Steenkamp and Jaque Fourie put defending world champions South Africa in complete control of their Pool D clash with Fiji in Wellington.

The Springboks had been unimpressive in edging past Wales in their opener, but their direct running was threatening to overwhelm the Fijians as their pair of tries were added to by a Francois Steyn penalty and eight points from the boot of Morne Steyn.

Fiji’s sole score came courtesy of a penalty from centre Seremaia Bai.

Morne Steyn missed an early chance to give the Springboks the lead by pulling a third-minute penalty attempt wide, but Francois Steyn showed how it should be done as he blasted an effort over from inside his own half with a minimum of fuss.

Some strong Fiji defence repelled a series of powerful Springbok surges close to the line, with Steenkamp carrying prominently, and surviving that examination seemed to boost their confidence.

Number eight Masi Matadigo and flanker Dominiko Waqaniburotukula helped the South Sea Islanders steadily move downfield to yield a penalty that Bai gratefully converted at the end of the first quarter.

But South Africa hit back with a clinical score. Centre Francois Steyn strode deep into the Fiji 22, before the ball was worked left for Steenkamp to plough his way through three tackles and dot down, Morne Steyn adding the extras.

More strong running from Pierre Spies then allowed Morne Steyn to slot a penalty for a 13-3 advantage, and the lead was further extended when a spilled high ball from Kini Murimurivalu gave the Boks more field position to work Fourie over for his 31st Test try.

Morne Steyn missed the conversion and another penalty opportunity, but he did knock over a three-pointer right on half-time.