RWC: Springboks Feast On Eagles

Bryan Habana scored a hat-trick to equal Jonah Lomu’s record 15 Rugby World Cup tries as South Africa thumped USA 64-0

Habana crossed over three times in 19 minutes to steer the Springboks to a top place finish in Pool B.

Damian de Allende and a penalty try got South Africa on their way before half time before Bismarck du Plessis’ dot down and two Francois Louw tries earned the bonus point.

Jesse Kriel’s late score and Lwazi Mvovo’s 84th-minute solo effort added to Habana’s points, with Handre Pollard and Morne Steyn sharing 14 conversion points.

Nick Kurger came closest to scoring for the States when his penalty kick hit the post with the game still scoreless – Mike Tolkin’s men unrewarded for their first-half composure with the ball in hand.

The result means the Springboks will play the loser of Saturday’s meet between Australia and Wales at Twickenham.

Both sides are already through after knocking rivals England out of the pool, with the victor expected to face Scotland in the quarter-finals.

Not that South Africa will mind who they face out on the Twickenham turf 10 days from now.

They will fancy their chances against a Wallabies side defeated four times in their last six meetings, while Wales’ 12-6 triumph over the Boks last autumn was their first since 1999.