Springboks too strong for Samoa

South Africa recorded a comfortable victory over a tough Samoan side in Johannesburg to add to their double success over England in recent weeks.

The Springboks - fielding a largely reserve team - made light work of the Samoan challenge in the first half to lead 23-3 at the break, but struggled more in the second half as they sent substitutes on and lost structure in the process.

After an early exchange of penalties between Derick Hougaard and Gavin Williams for the visitors, it was Bok captain John Smit who got the first try after the ball popped out of an attacking maul and into his hands.

Smit burst forward and got the ball on the line, to get his name on the scoreboard.

Three minutes later Ricky Januarie stole the ball from Steven So'oialo at the base of the scrum, and the ensuing attack was sent wide to winger JP Pietersen, who went over to score a second try near the corner flag.

So'oialo was yellow carded for a professional foul shortly afterwards, and the Boks punished the Samoans even more by sending full-back Frans Steyn over in virtually the same position as Pietersen.

Bok flanker Luke Watson's debut lasted an unimpressive 50 minutes, but his replacement Pedrie Wannenburg crossed shortly afterwards after Pietersen accelerated his way through a gap and left the loose forward to bump off a tackle for a well-worked try.

Replacement full-back Percy Montgomery added his name to the scoresheet on 60 minutes to bring up 700 points in Test rugby with a try, which he then converted.

But the last 20 minutes belonged to Samoa who pounded the Bok defence and were finally awarded a try three minutes from time when Anitelea Tuilagi went over in the corner.