South Africa 13 Samoa 5: South Africa made sure of their place in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with a bruising eight-point victory over Samoa in Auckland on Friday.
A brutal encounter at the North Harbour Stadium saw both sides putting in some mammoth hits but the Springboks were able to keep their cool to come out on top.
Their pragmatic approach payed dividends and ensured Wales will join them in the last eight regardless of their result against Fiji, but they were helped along the way by Welsh referee Nigel Owens.
The combined kicking efforts of Morne Steyn and Frans Steyn kept the Samoans at bay - they landed eight points between them - while Bryan Habana scored their only try. The Boks, though, had to survive a sustained Samoa onslaught after the interval, with the South Sea islanders unlucky to score just the one try through George Stowers.
And they were left fuming after Paul Williams was harshly red carded by Owens for clashing with Heinrich Brussow.
South Africa got off to fast start as they tried to take advantage of the strong wind at their backs.
Morne Steyn saw drop-goal attempt in the second minute sailed wide, while Frans Steyn saw his long-range penalty rebound off the bar.
However, it took a superb diving finish from Habana to move the Boks into the lead after eight minutes, with David Lemi's tackle unable to prevent the winger grounding the ball in the corner. Morne Steyn converted.
Samoa responded superbly and went toe-to-toe with the Boks - Kahn Fotuali'i and Williams in particular impressing - but too many errors at the breakdown and constant struggles at the set-piece left them frustrated.
Another big kick from Frans Steyn this time sailed over to extend the lead, with Morne Steyn making 13-0 with a regulation effort.
Despite their problems in the scrums, Samoa continued to threaten in the loose and they almost got the try their enterprise deserved at the end of the half, with Seilala Mapusua lacking the support.
There was a scare for the defending champions after the break as Habana was forced off after feeling the effects of some tough tackling, while his replacement Francois Hougaard was then left needing treatment.
Samoa were finally rewarded for their adventure as Stowers powered over after some superb offloads.
Morne Steyn failed to take advantage of a slip up from the Samoans at the restart, with his penalty kick dropping short.
And a few South African hearts will have been in mouths as Lemi opened up the Boks defence, only for a desperate tackle from Patrick Lambie and the whistle of Nigel Owens to deny him.
The Boks thought they had put the result beyond doubt on the hour when a driving maul saw Bismarck Du Plessis carry maul over the line but the video evidence was inconclusive as to whether he had grounded the ball.
Samoa again had chances with Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu and Lemi making good breaks, while Mahonri Schwalger knocked on close to the line.
However Samoa's hopes looked to have been dealt a fatal blow when Williams was red carded for pushing Brussow in the face after the full-back retaliated to being hit.
John Smit was then shown a yellow card with ten minutes left for a professional foul to leave both sides with 14 men but Samoa couldn't gather the losing bonus point they needed to keep their quarter-final hopes alive.
