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 Confidence stomped on South Africa disappoints in win over Uruguay
Posted: Friday October 15, 1999 06:16 PM
GLASGOW, Scotland (CNN/SI) -- South Africa's coach Nick Mallett had determined to field a full-strength squad against World Cup debutantes Uruguay in order to provide the defending champions with a much-needed boost of confidence. Instead, the Springboks produced a lackluster performance as they won 39-3. Granted, the champs ran in three tries in the first half, and with an opening lead of 27-3 appeared to be the on the way to a comprehensive victory. But, after center Brendan Venter's was ejected from the match with a red card for stomping just prior to halftime the Springboks, playing with only 14 men found their game unraveling in the second. The Uruguayans -- a team of amateurs except for one player -- grew in confidence as the Boks' vulnerability became apparent and the underdogs ran boldly at the South African defense. Mallett said Venter's exit was the turning point as his side lost its balance and flow after No. 8 Bobby Skinstad came out of the scrum to fill the gap at inside center. "I was quite happy with the first half. Obviously, playing then with 14 men disrupted both the forwards and the backs," Mallett said. In an almost deserted Hampden Park stadium, the Springboks' tries were scored by Robbie Fleck, Joost van der Westhuizen, Deon Kayser and two late scores from substitute Albert van den Berg. Flyhalf Jannie de Beer, again replacing the injured Henry Honiball, kicked 14 points. Uruguay's sole score came from a 29th minute penalty by Diego Aguirre. The Springboks drew first blood after just six minutes when center Fleck who pierced down the left flank as the Uruguayan defense was overwhelmed despite spirited efforts. Captain and scrumhalf Van der Westhuizen extended the lead after 18 minutes when he hauled himself, and two grasping defenders, over the tryline. The South Africans powered ahead, winger Kayser finishing one of his sparkling runs with a dive over the line five minutes before the interval. No. 10 Jannie de Beer conerted the tries, then hit a penalty as the Boks built up their lead. Uruguay, led by 40-year-old captain Diego Ormaechea who was playing his last international, then got off the mark with Aguirre's penalty. But then Venter, who had linked up with Kayser in some thrilling breaks, stomped Uruguayan flanker Martin Panizza and was sent off. Venter later denied any deliberate attempt to hurt Panizza, saying he was merely trying to rake the ball free. "There was no malice intended. I didn't go for the guy's head," Venter said. He now faces a disciplinary committee, which will rule on a possible suspension. In the second half, the Boks at times looked chaotic, producing a series of clumsy handling errors, miscued kicks and undisciplined play that was punished with penalties for Uruguay. It was 30 minutes before South Africa scored again. They only sparked back into life when Van den Berg, who had only been on the field for a few seconds, powered over for a try after strong running by Van der Westhuizen. De Beer missed the conversion. In the final minutes, Van den Berg scored his second try, taking a pass from fullback Percy Montgomery. De Beer managed to convert this try. The Springboks, with three consecutive victories, finish top of Group A, and will play the quarterfinal in Paris.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. | |||||||||||||||||||||
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