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Samoa - South Africa: 2015 Rugby World Cup match preview

The Springboks are looking to rally after their shock defeat to Japan in Brighton last week, against a confident Samoan side

Samoa - South Africa: 2015 Rugby World Cup match preview
Alesana Tuilagi again starts for Samoa in their second World Cup game against South Africa (image via: 3news)
tom-hiscott
By Tom Hiscott

After the shock of all shocks last Saturday, the pressure on South Africa is humungous going into their second Rugby World Cup fixture, where they face Samoa at Villa Park

Falling 34-32 to Japan in their opening fixture has put an almighty amount of pressure the Springboks, and head coach Heyneke Meyer has responding by making a raft of changes. 

For Samoa, a win will see them with one foot in the quarter-finals after their opening victory, but their record against South Africa is not a good one, and they will know that they're facing a wounded Springbok side which could be extremely dangerous. 

Meyer changes eight after Japanese nightmare

After their opener could not have gone much worse, it is no surprise that there are plenty of changes to the South African side who will take the field in Birmingham. 

Adriaan Strauss, Eben Etzebeth and Duane Vermuelen come in to what looks like a bulkier looking forward pack, which dispenses of last week's starters Bismarck du Plessis, Lood de Jager and Pieter-Steph du Toit

Five of the seven starting backs are alterations from the opening game, with Bryan Habana and Jean de Villiers the only starters to keep their place in the side. 

Alongside them, Fourie du Preez and Handre Pollard form a new half-back partnership, Damien de Allende comes into the centres, whilst JP Pietersen and Willie le Roux join Habana in a new look back three. 

Samoa change three following win over USA

Manu Samoa's head coach Stephen Betham has handed first World Cup starts to three of his squad, who come into the starting line-up following the opening victory against America. 

Fly-half Michael Stanley is a surprise starter in place of the tried-and-trusted starting ten Tusi Pisi, who drops to the bench. 

The other two changes come up front, where Motu Matu'u starts at hooker, whilst flanker TJ Ioane comes in for the injured Maurie Fa'asavalu

Elsewhere the starters remain the same, in a huge clash for Samoa, who know they can all but knock South Africa out of the competition if they can defeat Meyer's men. 

How the sides line up

Samoa: 1. Sakaria Taulafo, 2. Motu Matu'u, 3. Anthony Perenise
4. Teofilo Paulo, 5. Iosefa Tekori
6. TJ Ioane, 7. Jack Lam, 8. Ofisa Treviranus (c)

9. Kahn Fotuali'i, 10. Mike Stanley
11. Alesana Tuilagi, 12. Rey Lee-Lo, 13. Paul Perez, 14. Ken Pisi, 15. Tim Nanai-Williams

Replacements: 16. Ole Avei, 17. Viliamu Afatia, 18. Census Johnston, 19. Faifili Levave, 20. Vavae Tuilagi, 21. Vavao Afemai, 22. Tusi Pisi, 23. George Pisi

South Africa: 1. Tendai Mtarawira, 2. Adriaan Strauss, 3. Jannie du Plessis
4. Eben Etzebeth, 5. Victor Matfield
6. Francois Louw, 7. Schalk Burger, 8. Duane Vermuelen

9. Fourie du Preez, 10. Handre Pollard
11. Bryan Habams, 12. Damien de Allende, 13. Jean de Villiers (c), 14. JP Pietersen, 15. Willie le Roux

Replacements: 16. Schalk Brits, 17. Trevor Nyakane, 18. Frans Malherbe, 19. Lood de Jager, 20. Siya Kolisi, 21. Ruan Pienaar, 22. Pat Lambie, 23. Jesse Kriel