Pietersen scores 3 as South Africa routs Samoa 46-6

With a massive point to prove after opening its Rugby World Cup campaign in embarrassment, South Africa did just that with a six-try blitz of Samoa in a 46-6 win on Saturday.
Right winger JP Pietersen led the way with a hat trick of tries to somewhat ease the painful memory of last weekend’s 34-32 defeat to Japan — the biggest upset in World Cup history — which led to scathing criticism back home.
“Sometimes you have to look in the mirror and see how tough you are,” South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer said. “That’s why I coach, and it’s a great feeling sitting there and knowing that your players really played for you. I had a lot of criticism, but I backed this team.”
The players, too, wanted to prove their support for Meyer.
“This is the beginning of us getting back on track,” captain Jean de Villiers said. “But there is a long road to go. We know we disappointed people.”
Pietersen scored with a sharp interception try in the first half, and neat bit of handling early in the second.
Flanker Schalk Burger barged through two tackles for the third try, and Schalk Brits, who replaced him, peeled off the back of the scrum for South Africa’s fourth try and a welcome bonus point.
After Pietersen stayed just inside the line to grab his third late on, awarded after a video replay, there was just enough time for Bryan Habana’s 60th international try as he showed his destructive pace to collect the ball near the halfway line and streak into the left corner.
De Villiers and fellow veterans Victor Matfield and Burger got rousing ovations from their relieved fans when they came off in the closing stages.
“It’s one of the toughest weeks in a Springboks team for me,” Matfield said. “But it’s also the most messages I’ve ever got in my life … guys sending you inspirational stuff.”
Last weekend, South Africa’s players were sat in stunned silence inside their dressing room, towels draped over their heads in shame, after their shock defeat.
This time it was sheer jubilation at Villa Park, so much so that one beer-bellied Springbok fan showed some pace of his own to sprint onto the field just before the end.
He was met by a heavy Samoan tackle, however, and some loud jeers from his own fans.
But apart from that, it was all cheers.
The fans did their best to help them avoid further embarrassment with brilliant support, and there was a massive roar after a raucous rendition of their national anthem. AP