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South Africa dazzles Fiji in Pretoria
Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria. 2 July, 1996
Fiji tour of South Africa
South Africa 43 Fiji 18
The world champions, in their first Test of 1996, had to withstand a spirited challenge from Fiji before running out winners 43-18 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
In a lethargic performance (particularly in the first half) the Springboks also paid a heavy price for victory.
One of their World Cup heroes, centre Hennie Le Roux was carried off on a stretcher with his head in a protective brace. Post match it was declared he had suffered whiplash injuries that would prevent him from playing in the Springboks’ first two Tri-nations Tests in Australia and New Zealand.
New coach Andre’ Markgraaf declared after the match that he was generally pleased with the team’s performance, especially the last 20 minutes when they closed the game down and denied the Fijians any possession. However, for the first 40 minutes the Fijians really took the game to the Springboks and were only 16-8 down at the interval.
The ‘Boks opened the scoring in the 13th minute of the game when fullback Joubert pounced on a fortunate bounce from a James Small kick ahead. However, the islanders struck back immediately from the restart when scrum-half Rauluni scored in the left-hand corner.
Joubert kicked two penalties and Honiball one while Little answered with one for Fiji to end the scoring in the first half.
At the start of the second half Joubert created an 80-metre try from centre Japie Mulder, but again the Fijians struck back. Captain Joe Veitayaki kept his side in the match when he crashed over after some brilliant handling by Waisale Serevi in the 47th minute. Little narrowed the margin with a second penalty try for not retiring outside.
As the game wore on the superior technique and power of the ‘Bok forwards began to tell and the glut possession saw the backs cut loose in the last quarter of the match. In the last 15 minutes lock Mark Andrew scored a pushover try and a scything backline move resulted in replacement Danie van Schalkwyk scoring out wide on his Test debut.
South Africa:
Andre Joubert, James Small, Janie Mulder, Hennie Le Roux, J Swart, Henry Honiball, Joost van der Westhuizen, Gary Teichmann, R Kruger, Francios Piennar (Captain), J Ackermann, Mark Andrews, M Hurter, J Allan, P du Randt
Tries: A Joubert, D van Schalkwyk, M Andrews, J Mulder
Penalty try: A Joubert (1 conversion, penalty), H Honiball (2 cons, 2 pens)
Fiji:
Joeli Veitayaki (Captain, King Country), Mosese Taga (Suva), Epeli Natuivau (Queensland), Eminoni Batimala (Nadroga), Greg Smith (Waikato), Emori Katalau (Poverty Bay), Apisai Naevo (Counties), Ifereimi Tawake (Nadroga), Tomasi Tamanivalu (Queensland), Daniel Rouse (Nadi), Jake Rauluni (Queensland), Jason McLennan (Suva), Jonetani Waqa (Nadroga), Lawrence Little (King Country), Sale Sorovaki (Wellington), Nicky Little (Canterbury), Filipe Rayasi (King Country), Aisea Tuilevu (Nadroga), Alfred Uluinayau (Auckland), Setareki Tawake (Queensland), Waisale Serevi (Japan).
Tries: Joeli Veitayaki, Jake Rauluni
Conversions: Nicky Little
Penalty goals: Nicky Little (2)
Referee: Johan Meuwesen (Namibia)
Crowd: 45,000
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