South Africa responded as many thought they would after last week's shock result against Japan, with a 46-6 win over Samoa at Villa Park.
In what has turned out to be the most open Rugby World Cup pool, this was a crucial victory for the Springboks who would have been all but out with a defeat.
Not only did the Boks win, they also claimed the bonus point, which makes them favourites to top the group after dismantling one of their biggest rivals for qualification.
Pietersen interception sparks Boks
Samoa started the game on top against a fragile South African side who were again without the injured Willem Alberts.
With the sparkling Tim Nanai-Williams impressing from full-back, the Pacific Islanders looked dangerous with ball in hand, and won a penalty at the scrum early on, which was converted by Michael Stanley to give them a 6-3 lead.
Just as it looked like Samoa would threaten the line, Stanley threw a 50/50 pass which was intercepted by JP Pietersen, who scored a try untouched.
Heyneke Meyer's men seemed to come to life after the try, and dominated the rest of the half, which helped them build an 11-point half-time lead on the back of three Handre Pollard penalties.
Lineout scuppers Samoan hopes
With 11 points between the sides, the game was not over as a contest, with Samoa continuing to impress against a clearly pumped-up opponent.
The issue for the Islanders was that there set piece fell apart, which played a big role in them handing the initiative to the Boks, who ran away with the game after the break.
Pietersen scored twice more adding to further tries from Schalk Burger, Bryan Habana and Schalk Brits, to give South Africa a comfortable victory which puts them back on track to top their pool with games against Scotland and USA to come.
For Samoa, it is now them who are searching for the answers after being steam-rolled. The inclusion of Stanley at fly-half in place of the regular incumbent Tusi Pisi was a strange one from Stephen Betham which certainly didn't pay off.