2007 Rugby World Cup Pool A

Main article: 2007 Rugby World Cup

Pool A of the 2007 Rugby World Cup began on 8 September and was completed on 30 September. The pool was composed of 2003 World Cup winners England, as well as Samoa, South Africa, Tonga and United States.

Overview

Pool A threw up few surprises, with both South Africa and England qualifying for the quarter-finals, as expected. Third place went to Tonga, who beat the USA and South Pacific neighbours, Samoa, to secure a place in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Tonga also gave the eventual champions a close run, losing by less than a try. Both South Africa and England went on to reach the final of the tournament, which South Africa won by 15 points to 6.

Place	Nation	Games				Points			Bonus points	Table points
Place	Nation	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	For	Against	Difference	Bonus points	Table points
1	South Africa	4	4	0	0	189	47	+142	3	19
2	England	4	3	0	1	108	88	+20	2	14
3	Tonga	4	2	0	2	89	96	−7	1	9
4	Samoa	4	1	0	3	69	143	−74	1	5
5	United States	4	0	0	4	61	142	−81	1	1

All times local (UTC+2)

England vs United States

8 September 2007
18:00

England	28 – 10	United States
Tries: Robinson 35' m Barkley 40+' c Rees 49' c Con: Barkley (2/3) Pen: Barkley (3/3) 7', 22', 31'	Report	Tries: Moeakiola 74' c Con: Hercus (1/1) Pen: Hercus (1/1) 9'

Stade Félix Bollaert, Lens
Attendance: 36,755
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)


England
FB	15	Mark Cueto
RW	14	Josh Lewsey
OC	13	Jamie Noon
IC	12	Mike Catt		63'
LW	11	Jason Robinson		67'
FH	10	Olly Barkley
SH	9	Shaun Perry		60'
N8	8	Lawrence Dallaglio	74' to 80+'
OF	7	Tom Rees
BF	6	Joe Worsley		69'
RL	5	Ben Kay
LL	4	Simon Shaw		63'
TP	3	Phil Vickery (c)		63'
HK	2	Mark Regan		63'
LP	1	Andrew Sheridan
Replacements:
HK	16	George Chuter		63'
PR	17	Matt Stevens		63'
LK	18	Martin Corry		63'
FL	19	Lewis Moody		69'
SH	20	Peter Richards		60'
CE	21	Andy Farrell		63'
CE	22	Mathew Tait		67'
Coach:
Brian Ashton


United States
FB	15	Chris Wyles
RW	14	Salesi Sika		52'
OC	13	Paul Emerick	80+' to 80+'
IC	12	Vahafolau Esikia	30' to 40'
LW	11	Takudzwa Ngwenya
FH	10	Mike Hercus (c)
SH	9	Chad Erskine
N8	8	Henry Bloomfield		56'
OF	7	Todd Clever
BF	6	Louis Stanfill
RL	5	Mike Mangan		69'
LL	4	Alec Parker
TP	3	Chris Osentowski
HK	2	Owen Lentz		53'
LP	1	Mike MacDonald		60'
Replacements:
HK	16	Blake Burdette		53'
PR	17	Matekitonga Moeakiola		60'
LK	18	Hayden Mexted		69'
FL	19	Inaki Basauri		56'
SH	20	Michael Petri
FH	21	Valenese Malifa		52'
CE	22	Albert Tuipulotu
Coach:
Peter Thorburn

Man of the Match:
Olly Barkley (England)

Touch judges:
Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Television match official:
Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Fourth official:
Bruno Gaudefrin (France)
Fifth official:
Eric Molier (France)

South Africa vs Samoa

9 September 2007
16:00

South Africa	59 – 7	Samoa
Tries: Habana (4) 33' m, 56' c, 66' c, 76' m Montgomery (2) 40+' c, 53' m Fourie 47' c JP Pietersen 80+' c Con: Montgomery (5/8) Pen: Montgomery (3/3) 3', 10', 15'	Report	Try: Williams 18' c Con: Williams (1/1)

Parc des Princes, Paris
Attendance: 46,575
Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)


South Africa
FB	15	Percy Montgomery
RW	14	JP Pietersen
OC	13	Jaque Fourie
IC	12	Jean de Villiers	43'
LW	11	Bryan Habana
FH	10	Butch James	59'
SH	9	Fourie du Preez	65'
N8	8	Danie Rossouw	65'
OF	7	Juan Smith
BF	6	Schalk Burger
RL	5	Victor Matfield
LL	4	Bakkies Botha	67'
TP	3	CJ van der Linde		67'
HK	2	John Smit (c)	64'
LP	1	Os du Randt	51'	67'
Replacements:
HK	16	Bismarck du Plessis	64'
PR	17	BJ Botha	51'
LK	18	Johannes Muller	67'
FL	19	Wickus van Heerden	65'
SH	20	Enrico Januarie	65'
FH	21	Andre Pretorius	59'
FB	22	Francois Steyn	43'
Coach:
Jake White


Samoa
FB	15	David Lemi
RW	14	Lome Fa'atau	61'
OC	13	Gavin Williams
IC	12	Jerry Meafou	61'
LW	11	Alesana Tuilagi
FH	10	Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu	59'
SH	9	Junior Polu
N8	8	Henry Tuilagi	57'
OF	7	Semo Sititi (c)
BF	6	Daniel Leo
RL	5	Kane Thompson
LL	4	Joe Tekori	63'
TP	3	Census Johnston
HK	2	Mahonri Schwalger
LP	1	Justin Va'a	63'
Replacements:
HK	16	Tanielu Fuga		65'
PR	17	Kas Lealamanua	63'
PR	18	Alfie Vaeluaga	57'
FL	19	Justin Purdie	63'
CE	20	Elvis Seveali'i	61'
FH	21	Loki Crichton	59'
WG	22	Brian Lima	61'	65'
Coach:
Michael Jones

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2007 Rugby World Cup South Africa vs Samoa.

Man of the Match:
Percy Montgomery (South Africa)

Touch judges:
Chris White (England)
Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Television match official:
Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Fourth official:
Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Fifth official:
Eric Gauzins (France)

United States vs Tonga

12 September 2007
14:00

United States	15 – 25	Tonga
Tries: MacDonald 47' m Stanfill 67' c Con: Hercus (1/2) Pen: Hercus (1/2) 33'	Report	Tries: Maka 2' c Vaka 59' m Vaki 70' c Con: Hola (2/3) Pen: Hola (2/2) 7', 26'

Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)


United States
FB	15	Chris Wyles
RW	14	Salesi Sika
OC	13	Albert Tuipulotu
IC	12	Vahafolau Esikia	61'
LW	11	Takudzwa Ngwenya
FH	10	Mike Hercus (c)
SH	9	Chad Erskine
N8	8	Henry Bloomfield	54'
OF	7	Todd Clever
BF	6	Louis Stanfill
RL	5	Mike Mangan
LL	4	Alec Parker
TP	3	Chris Osentowski
HK	2	Owen Lentz	47'
LP	1	Mike MacDonald	54'
Replacements:
HK	16	Blake Burdette	47'
PR	17	Matekitonga Moeakiola	54'
LK	18	Hayden Mexted
FL	19	Inaki Basauri	54'
SH	20	Michael Petri
FH	21	Valenese Malifa
CE	22	Philip Eloff	61'
Coach:
Peter Thorburn


Tonga
FB	15	Vungakoto Lilo
RW	14	Tevita Tu'ifua
OC	13	Sukanaivalu Hufanga
IC	12	Epi Taione	71'
LW	11	Joseph Vaka	61'
FH	10	Pierre Hola
SH	9	Soane Havea	41'
N8	8	Finau Maka	65'
OF	7	Nili Latu (c)	65'
BF	6	Hale T Pole
RL	5	Paino Hehea
LL	4	Lisiate Fa'aoso
TP	3	Kisi Pulu
HK	2	Aleki Lutui	76'
LP	1	Soane Tonga'uiha	66'
Replacements:
HK	16	Ephraim Taukafa	76'
PR	17	Toma Toke	66'
FL	18	Viliami Vaki	65'
N8	19	Lotu Filipine	65'
FB	20	Sione Tu'ipulotu	41'
CE	21	Isileli Tupou	71'
WG	22	Aisea Havili	61'
Coach:
Quddus Fielea

Man of the Match:
Mike MacDonald (United States)

Touch judges:
Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Christophe Berdos (France)
Television match official:
Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Fourth official:
Paul Honiss (New Zealand)
Fifth official:
Jean-Christophe Gastou (France)

England vs South Africa

14 September 2007
21:00

England	0 – 36	South Africa
	Report	Tries: Smith 6' c Pietersen (2) 38' c, 64' c Con: Montgomery (3/3) Pen: Steyn (1/1) 11' Montgomery (4/4) 36', 46', 55', 79'

Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance: 77,523
Referee: Joël Jutge (France)


England
FB	15	Jason Robinson	58'
RW	14	Josh Lewsey
OC	13	Jamie Noon	80'
IC	12	Andy Farrell
LW	11	Paul Sackey
FH	10	Mike Catt
SH	9	Shaun Perry	41'
N8	8	Nick Easter
OF	7	Tom Rees	53'
BF	6	Martin Corry (c)
RL	5	Ben Kay
LL	4	Simon Shaw	55' to 60'	78'
TP	3	Matt Stevens
HK	2	Mark Regan	56'
LP	1	Andrew Sheridan	78'
Replacements:
HK	16	George Chuter	56'
PR	17	Perry Freshwater	78'
LK	18	Steve Borthwick	55'	60'	78'
FL	19	Lewis Moody	53'
SH	20	Andy Gomarsall	41'
SH	21	Peter Richards	80'
CE	22	Mathew Tait	58'
Coach:
Brian Ashton


South Africa
FB	15	Percy Montgomery
RW	14	JP Pietersen
OC	13	Jaque Fourie
IC	12	Francois Steyn	76'
LW	11	Bryan Habana	56' to 61'
FH	10	Butch James	71'
SH	9	Fourie du Preez	67'
N8	8	Danie Rossouw
OF	7	Juan Smith	71'
BF	6	Wickus van Heerden
RL	5	Victor Matfield
LL	4	Bakkies Botha	53'
TP	3	BJ Botha
HK	2	John Smit (c)	71'
LP	1	Os du Randt	61'
Replacements:
HK	16	Bismarck du Plessis	71'
PR	17	CJ van der Linde	61'
LK	18	Johannes Muller	53'
N8	19	Bobby Skinstad	71'
SH	20	Ruan Pienaar	56'	61'	67'
FH	21	Andre Pretorius	71'
CE	22	Wynand Olivier	76'
Coach:
Jake White

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2007 Rugby World Cup South Africa vs England.

Man of the Match:
Fourie du Preez (South Africa)

Touch judges:
Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand)
Carlo Damasco (Italy)
Television match official:
Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Fourth official:
Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Fifth official:
Eric Gauzins (France)

Notes

Percy Montgomery equalled Joost van der Westhuizen as the most-capped Springbok with his 89th appearance.
This was the first scoreless match for England at the World Cup; it was also the first time a past World Champion had failed to score in a World Cup match. It was only the fifth time a side had failed to score in a World Cup match, after Canada, Spain, Namibia and Romania, although Scotland joined this list later in the tournament.

Samoa vs Tonga

16 September 2007
16:00

Samoa	15 – 19	Tonga
Pen: Williams (5/6) 6', 21', 23', 29', 69'	Report	Try: Taione 60' c Con: Hola (1/1) Pen: Hola (4/5) 3', 38', 47', 67'

Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
Attendance: 24,128
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)


Samoa
FB	15	Gavin Williams	80'
RW	14	Sailosi Tagicakibau	56'
OC	13	Elvis Seveali'i
IC	12	Seilala Mapusua
LW	11	Alesana Tuilagi
FH	10	Loki Crichton
SH	9	Steve So'oialo	56'
N8	8	Semo Sititi (c)
OF	7	Ulia Ulia	62'
BF	6	Daniel Leo
RL	5	Kane Thompson
LL	4	Joe Tekori	62'
TP	3	Census Johnston	56'	80'
HK	2	Mahonri Schwalger	59'
LP	1	Justin Va'a
Replacements:
HK	16	Tanielu Fuga	59'
HK	17	Muliufi Salanoa	56'	80'
LK	18	Leo Lafaiali'i	62'
FL	19	Justin Purdie	62'
SH	20	Junior Polu	56'
FH	21	Lolo Lui	80'
WG	22	David Lemi	56'
Coach:
Michael Jones


Tonga
FB	15	Vungakoto Lilo
RW	14	Tevita Tu'ifua
OC	13	Sukanaivalu Hufanga
IC	12	Epeli Taione	28' to 38'	73'
LW	11	Joseph Vaka
FH	10	Pierre Hola
SH	9	Enele Taufa		43'
N8	8	Finau Maka			80'
OF	7	Nili Latu (c)
BF	6	Hale T Pole	72'
RL	5	Paino Hehea
LL	4	Inoke Afeaki		56'
TP	3	Kisi Pulu
HK	2	Ephraim Taukafa		50'
LP	1	Soane Tonga'uiha		73'	80'
Replacements:
HK	16	Aleki Lutui		50'
PR	17	Toma Toke	75' to 80+'	73'
FL	18	Viliami Vaki		56'
FL	19	'Emosi Kauhenga
FB	20	Sione Tu'ipulotu		43'
CE	21	Isileli Tupou		73'
FB	22	Hudson Tonga'uiha
Coach:
Quddus Fielea

Man of the Match:
Finau Maka (Tonga)

Touch judges:
Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Television match official:
Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Fourth official:
Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Fifth official:
Jean-Christophe Gastou (France)

South Africa vs Tonga

22 September 2007
14:00

South Africa	30 – 25	Tonga
Tries: Pienaar (2) 18' c, 65' m Smith 59' c Skinstad 62' m Con: Pretorius (1/1) Montgomery (1/3) Pen: Steyn (1/1) 54' Montgomery (1/1) 76'	Report	Tries: Pulu 44' c Hufanga 70' m Vaki 72' c Con: Hola (2/3) Pen: Hola (2/3) 9', 78'

Stade Félix Bollaert, Lens
Attendance: 40,069
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)


South Africa
FB	15	Ruan Pienaar
RW	14	Ashwin Willemse		48'
OC	13	Wynand Olivier
IC	12	Wayne Julies		48'
LW	11	JP Pietersen
FH	10	Andre Pretorius		60'
SH	9	Enrico Januarie
N8	8	Bobby Skinstad (c)
OF	7	Danie Rossouw		25' to 31'	50'
BF	6	Wickus van Heerden
RL	5	Albert van den Berg		48'
LL	4	Bakkies Botha
TP	3	CJ van der Linde
HK	2	Gary Botha		48'
LP	1	Gurthro Steenkamp		48'
Replacements:
HK	16	John Smit		48'
PR	17	BJ Botha		48'
LK	18	Victor Matfield		48'
FL	19	Juan Smith		25'	31'	50'
WG	20	Bryan Habana	69' to 79'	48'
FH	21	Francois Steyn	63' to 74'	48'
FB	22	Percy Montgomery		60'
Coach:
Jake White


Tonga
FB	15	Vungakoto Lilo
RW	14	Tevita Tu'ifua
OC	13	Sukanaivalu Hufanga
IC	12	Epeli Taione		77'
LW	11	Joseph Vaka	63' to 73'	73'
FH	10	Pierre Hola
SH	9	Sione Tu'ipulotu		67'
N8	8	Finau Maka
OF	7	Nili Latu (c)		67'
BF	6	Viliami Vaki
RL	5	'Emosi Kauhenga		51' to 67'
LL	4	Paino Hehea			67'
TP	3	Kisi Pulu
HK	2	Aleki Lutui		67'
LP	1	Soane Tonga'uiha
Replacements:
HK	16	Ephraim Taukafa		67'
PR	17	Toma Toke
LK	18	Inoke Afeaki		51'
FL	19	Lotu Filipine		67'
SH	20	Soane Havea		67'
CE	21	Isileli Tupou		77'
WG	22	Aisea Havili		73'
Coach:
Quddus Fielea

Man of the Match:
Finau Maka (Tonga)

Touch judges:
Federico Cuesta (Argentina)
Paul Marks (Australia)
Television match official:
Malcolm Changleng (Scotland)
Fourth official:
Tony Spreadbury (England)
Fifth official:
Bruno Gaudefrin (France)

Notes

Percy Montgomery earns his 90th cap, surpassing Joost van der Westhuizen as the most-capped Springbok.

England vs Samoa

22 September 2007
16:00

England	44 – 22	Samoa
Tries: Corry (2) 2' c, 76' c Sackey (2) 32' c, 80+' m Con: Wilkinson (3/4) Pen: Wilkinson (4/6) 15', 22', 33', 72' Drop: Wilkinson (2/3) 6', 69'	Report	Try: Polu 47' c Con: Crichton (1/1) Pen: Crichton (5/5) 9', 12', 38', 40+, 42'

Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
Attendance: 37,022
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)


England
FB	15	Josh Lewsey
RW	14	Paul Sackey
OC	13	Mathew Tait	73'
IC	12	Olly Barkley
LW	11	Mark Cueto
FH	10	Jonny Wilkinson
SH	9	Andy Gomarsall
N8	8	Nick Easter
OF	7	Joe Worsley	70'
BF	6	Martin Corry (c)
RL	5	Ben Kay
LL	4	Simon Shaw	65'
TP	3	Matt Stevens
HK	2	George Chuter
LP	1	Andrew Sheridan	65'
Replacements:
HK	16	Mark Regan
PR	17	Perry Freshwater	65'
LK	18	Steve Borthwick	65'
FL	19	Lewis Moody	70'
SH	20	Peter Richards
CE	21	Andy Farrell
CE	22	Dan Hipkiss	73'
Coach:
Brian Ashton


Samoa
FB	15	Loki Crichton
RW	14	David Lemi
OC	13	Seilala Mapusua	70'
IC	12	Brian Lima	73'
LW	11	Alesana Tuilagi
FH	10	Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu
SH	9	Junior Polu	67'
N8	8	Henry Tuilagi	70'
OF	7	Semo Sititi (c)
BF	6	Daniel Leo
RL	5	Kane Thompson
LL	4	Joe Tekori	75'
TP	3	Census Johnston		75'
HK	2	Mahonri Schwalger
LP	1	Kas Lealamanua	62'	75'
Replacements:
HK	16	Tanielu Fuga
PR	17	Fosi Pala'amo	62'
FL	18	Justin Purdie	75'
PR	19	Alfie Vaeluaga	70'
CE	20	Steve So'oialo	67'
CE	21	Jerry Meafou	70'
FH	22	Lolu Lui	73'
Coach:
Michael Jones

Man of the Match:
Loki Crichton (Samoa)

Touch judges:
Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Television match official:
Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Fourth official:
Steve Walsh (New Zealand)
Fifth official:
Eric Gauzins (France)

Samoa vs United States

26 September 2007
20:00

Samoa	25 – 21	United States
Tries: Fa'atau 5' m Tuilagi 9' c Thompson 37' c Con: Crichton (2/3) Pen: Crichton (2/2) 30', 72'	Report	Tries: Ngwenya 53' c Stanfill 79' m Con: Hercus (1/2) Pen: Hercus (3/4) 32', 65', 75'

Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, Saint-Étienne
Attendance: 34,124
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)


Samoa
FB	15	Loki Crichton
RW	14	Lome Fa'atau		60'	79'
OC	13	Elvis Seveali'i
IC	12	Seilala Mapusua			79'
LW	11	Alesana Tuilagi
FH	10	Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu		70'
SH	9	Junior Polu		70'
N8	8	Alfie Vaeluaga		67'	70'
OF	7	Justin Purdie			78'
BF	6	Semo Sititi (c)
RL	5	Kane Thompson		64'
LL	4	Leo Lafaiali'i
TP	3	Census Johnston
HK	2	Mahonri Schwalger		73'	78'
LP	1	Kas Lealamanua		70'
Replacements:
HK	16	Silao Vaisola Sefo	76' to 80+'	73'
PR	17	Na'ama Leleimalefaga		70'
LK	18	Joe Tekori		64'
FL	19	Ulia Ulia		67'	70'
SH	20	Steve So'oialo		70'
WG	21	David Lemi		60'
FH	22	Lolo Lui		70'
Coach:
Michael Jones


United States
FB	15	Chris Wyles
RW	14	Takudzwa Ngwenya
OC	13	Philip Eloff
IC	12	Vahafolau Esikia		73'
LW	11	Salesi Sika
FH	10	Mike Hercus (c)
SH	9	Chad Erskine
N8	8	Fifita Mounga	52' to 62'	64'
OF	7	Todd Clever		45'
BF	6	Louis Stanfill
RL	5	Hayden Mexted
LL	4	Alec Parker
TP	3	Chris Osentowski
HK	2	Owen Lentz
LP	1	Mike MacDonald		68'
Replacements:
HK	16	Blake Burdette		45'
PR	17	Matekitonga Moeakiola		68'
N8	18	Henry Bloomfield
FL	19	Mark Aylor		64'
SH	20	Michael Petri
FH	21	Valenese Malifa
CE	22	Albert Tuipulotu		73'
Coach:
Peter Thorburn

Man of the Match:
Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu (Samoa)

Touch judges:
Hugh Watkins (Wales)
Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Television match official:
Dave Pearson (England)
Fourth official:
Nigel Owens (Wales)
Fifth official:
Cyril Lafon (France)

England vs Tonga

28 September 2007
21:00

England	36 – 20	Tonga
Tries: Sackey (2) 20' m, 38' m Tait 57' c Farrell 66' c Con: Wilkinson (2/4) Pen: Wilkinson (2/3) 14', 36' Drop: Wilkinson (2/2) 32', 72'	Report	Tries: Hufanga 17' c Pole 80' c Con: Hola (2/2) Pen: Hola (2/2) 11', 55'

Parc des Princes, Paris
Attendance: 45,085
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)


England
FB	15	Josh Lewsey
RW	14	Paul Sackey	69'
OC	13	Mathew Tait
IC	12	Olly Barkley	52'
LW	11	Mark Cueto	73'
FH	10	Jonny Wilkinson
SH	9	Andy Gomarsall
N8	8	Nick Easter
OF	7	Lewis Moody
BF	6	Martin Corry (c)	64'
RL	5	Ben Kay
LL	4	Steve Borthwick
TP	3	Matt Stevens	58'
HK	2	George Chuter	68'
LP	1	Andrew Sheridan
Replacements:
HK	16	Lee Mears	68'
PR	17	Phil Vickery	58'
N8	18	Lawrence Dallaglio	64'
FL	19	Joe Worsley
SH	20	Peter Richards	73'
CE	21	Andy Farrell	52'
CE	22	Dan Hipkiss	69'
Coach:
Brian Ashton


Tonga
FB	15	Vungakoto Lilo
RW	14	Tevita Tu'ifua
OC	13	Sukanaivalu Hufanga	60'
IC	12	Epeli Taione
LW	11	Joseph Vaka	67'
FH	10	Pierre Hola
SH	9	Sione Tu'ipulotu	69'
N8	8	Finau Maka
OF	7	Nili Latu (c)
BF	6	Hale T Pole
RL	5	Lisiate Fa'aoso	67'
LL	4	Viliami Vaki	61'
TP	3	Kisi Pulu
HK	2	Aleki Lutui	65'
LP	1	Soane Tonga'uiha	46' to 50'	55'
Replacements:
HK	16	Ephraim Taukafa	65'
PR	17	Taufa'ao Filise	46'	50'	55'
FL	18	Maama Molitika	61'
LK	19	Inoke Afeaki	67'
SH	20	Paino Hehea	69'
FB	21	Hudson Tonga'uiha	60'
WG	22	Aisea Havili	67'
Coach:
Quddus Fielea

Man of the Match:
Paul Sackey (England)

Touch judges:
Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Christophe Berdos (France)
Television match official:
Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Fourth official:
Tony Spreadbury (England)
Fifth official:
Eric Molier (France)

South Africa vs United States

30 September 2007
20:00

South Africa	64 – 15	United States
Tries: Burger 10' c Steyn 28' c Habana (2) 35' c, 42' m van der Linde 48' c du Preez 54' c Fourie (2) 64' c, 73' c Smith 77' c Con: Montgomery (6/7) James (2/2) Pen: Montgomery (1/1) 17'	Report	Tries: Ngwenya 39' c Wyles 51' m Con: Hercus (1/2) Pen: Hercus (1/1) 20'

Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
Attendance: 28,750
Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England)


South Africa
FB	15	Percy Montgomery	67'
RW	14	Akona Ndungane
OC	13	Jaque Fourie
IC	12	Francois Steyn	67'
LW	11	Bryan Habana	53'
FH	10	Butch James
SH	9	Fourie du Preez
N8	8	Schalk Burger
OF	7	Juan Smith
BF	6	Wickus van Heerden	71'
RL	5	Victor Matfield		75'
LL	4	Albert van den Berg	56'	75'
TP	3	BJ Botha	25'
HK	2	John Smit (c)
LP	1	Os du Randt	72'
Replacements:
HK	16	Bismarck du Plessis	72'
PR	17	CJ van der Linde	25'
LK	18	Bakkies Botha	56'
N8	19	Bobby Skinstad	71'
SH	20	Ruan Pienaar	67'
FH	21	Andre Pretorius	67'
WG	22	JP Pietersen	53'
Coach:
Jake White


United States
FB	15	Chris Wyles		75'
RW	14	Takudzwa Ngwenya
OC	13	Philip Eloff
IC	12	Vahafolau Esikia
LW	11	Salesi Sika		75'
FH	10	Mike Hercus (c)
SH	9	Chad Erskine		75'
N8	8	Dan Payne				75'
OF	7	Todd Clever	24' to 32'	43' to 55'
BF	6	Louis Stanfill		75'
RL	5	Mike Mangan
LL	4	Alec Parker
TP	3	Chris Osentowski
HK	2	Owen Lentz		75'
LP	1	Mike MacDonald		49'
Replacements:
HK	16	Blake Burdette		75'
PR	17	Matekitonga Moeakiola		49'
FL	18	Mark Aylor		43'	55'	75'
N8	19	Henry Bloomfield		75'
SH	20	Michael Petri		75'
FH	21	Valenese Malifa		75'
CE	22	Thretton Palamo		75'
Coach:
Peter Thorburn

Man of the Match:
Schalk Burger (South Africa)

Touch judges:
Federico Cuesta (Argentina)
Paul Marks (Australia)
Television match official:
Malcolm Changleng (Scotland)
Fourth official:
Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Fifth official:
Romain Poite (France)

Notes

Takudzwa Ngwenya's try, which he scored from his own half after faking out Bryan Habana and running past him, was named the Try of the Year in international rugby by the International Rugby Players' Association, an award handed out at the 2007 IRB Awards.^[1]
Thretton Palamo became the youngest player ever to appear in the Rugby World Cup, at age 19 years 8 days. The previous record was held by Federico Méndez of Argentina, who appeared in the 1991 Rugby World Cup at 19 years 54 days.^[2]

Notes and references

↑ Rugby News Service (2007-10-21). "Habana named IRB Player of the Year". International Rugby Board. Archived from the original on 23 October 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-21.
↑ Fitzpatrick, Joel, Rugby News Service (2007-09-05). "Thretton takes milestone in his stride". Rugby World Cup. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-19.

External links

Pool A at rugbyworldcup.com

2007 Rugby World Cup

Pool A Pool B Pool C Pool D Knockout stage Final Qualifying Squads

2007 Rugby World Cup finalists

Pool A	England Samoa South Africa Tonga United States

Pool B	Australia Canada Fiji Japan Wales

Pool C	Italy New Zealand Portugal Romania Scotland

Pool D	Argentina France Georgia Ireland Namibia

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