South Africa too good for poor Namibia

South Africa’s Siya Kolisi is tackled by Namibia’s Wian Conradie. [AFP]

Two-time champions South Africa recorded one of their biggest Rugby World Cup wins yesterday when they routed a porous Namibia 57-3 to move towards the quarter-finals.

Five tries in the first half and another four in the second swept Namibia aside as the Springboks briefly threatened to eclipse the 87-0 win, the heaviest they have recorded at World Cups, over the Welwitschias in 2011.

After Japan’s sensational 19-12 victory over Ireland earlier yesterday, any hopes of another upset were quickly snuffed out at a packed City of Toyota Stadium as South Africa attacked relentlessly from the outset.

The Springboks next face Italy in a match that will go a long way to deciding who qualifies from Pool B, which also contains defending champions New Zealand.

“We will build from this and now we’ve got this big Italy game which probably will determine if we go through to the quarter-finals or not,” said Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus. 

“And I think this game will give us a nice springboard to go into that game.”

Namibia kept South Africa scoreless for just nine minutes at the start of the game before three catch-and-drive tries in the space of seven minutes put the outcome beyond doubt.