Durban - The Springboks' dream of becoming the first team to win a consecutive Rugby World Cup could continue on Friday should they get at least two points from their clash against Samoa.
South Africa have won three out of three games at the tournament thus far. But this is still not enough to guarantee a quarter-final place. Only the All Blacks have secured such a spot.
South Africa, Wales and Samoa are the three teams in the "Group of Death" that could go through to the next round.
South Africa will finish on top of their group if they beat or draw with Samoa or if they lose and gain two bonus points.
Springbok assistant coach Dick Muir has reportedly said the clash with Samoa would be the ideal preparation for the quarter-finals, provided they get the desired result on Friday.
Muir said the defending champions were ready for their "knockout game" because they were prepared for their tough and very physical group.
"For us, it's still knockout. If we don't get the result then we don't make it.
"We were quite excited about the look of our pool when it came out," Muir told media ahead of the sell-out match at the North Harbour Stadium in Auckland.
"We wanted tough, physical games in the lead-up to the play-offs. We came into the competition a little underdone and we've used the (pool) games to prepare ourselves for the play-offs."
The Bok management and players have taken note of Samoa's potential and the Island team is viewed as a serious threat. Their new, more structured style had served them well and that it would be a mistake to move away from it now.
"I think they'd be foolish to change now," Muir said. "They've obviously been together for a long time as a team and you've seen the progress. They're a side that are really playing good rugby and they've got a lot more structure to their game."
The Boks have also factored Samoa's left wing Alesana Tuilagi's threat into their planning.
"He's shown his class all over the world and he seems to be getting better and better. We need to keep him at bay. We have got a plan."
"He's a guy who I brought over to try and play for the Sharks. He was so big he wouldn't fit into one of the playing jerseys and we had to play him in a supporters' jersey," said Muir.
TEAMS:
South Africa: Pat Lambie, JP Pietersen, Jaque Fourie, Frans Steyn, Bryan Habana, Morne Steyn, Fourie du Preez; Pierre Spies, Schalk Burger, Heinrich Brussow, Victor Matfield (captain), Danie Rossouw, Jannie du Plessis, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira.
Reserves: John Smit, Gurthro Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde, Willem Alberts, Francois Louw, Francois Hougaard, Jean de Villiers.
Samoa: Paul Williams, David Lemi, Seilala Mapusua, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, Alesana Tuilagi, Tusi Pisi, Kahn Fotuali'i; George Stowers, Maurie Fa'asavalu, Taiasina Tuifu'a, Kane Thompson, Daniel Leo, Census Johnston, Mahonri Schwalger (captain), Sakaria Taulafo.
Reserves: Ole Avei, Anthony Perenise, Logovi'i Mulipola, Ofisa Treviranus, Filipo Lavea Levi, Junior Poluleuligaga, George Pisi.
Kick-off: 9:30am (South African time)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
- BuaNews
