KEY POINTS:
PARIS - South Africa test their World Cup credentials against the rugged Samoans on Sunday in Paris in a warm-up for their Pool A decider against defending champions England next Friday.
The Springboks, who were knocked out in the quarter-finals in 2003, have had a relatively smooth preparation compared to their own rocky standards and are regarded as one of few sides capable of stopping the All Blacks from ruling the world.
The 1995 world champions' buildup to the previous World Cup included the notorious Kamp Staaldraad (camp barbed wire), in which the players were forced to stay overnight and naked in a muddy pit.
They endured no such trials this time.
"This squad is as settled as it has ever been in the last decade," hooker and captain John Smit told reporters. "There's a completely different focus and we have a very firm belief in our ability to win the World Cup, which was probably missing in 2003."
The Samoans, arguably as naturally talented as the New Zealanders but not as resilient nor as well organised, have a reputation for giving the top sides a tough time.
In 2003 they were just 16 minutes from upsetting eventual world champions England in a pool game before several tactical substitutions enabled Clive Woodward's team to pull ahead and grind out a tense 35-22 win.
"We can't sneak up on people like we did in 2003, they know what to expect from Samoa", said Samoa coach Michael Jones.
"They know what we can do. So we are approaching every game as a target," added the former All Blacks loose forward.
Against South Africa, however, Samoa have always suffered.
The Springboks have crushed the Pacific Islanders all five times they met them, scoring a total 257 points and conceding 58, with an average score of 51-12.
Taking nothing for granted, coach Jake White has selected the most experienced Springbok side ever with a combined 609 caps for the starting XV.
As always, the Springboks will rely on their awe-inspiring forwards as well as a couple of artists, starting with speedy winger Bryan Habana.
The Samoans also have plenty of power in their pack and experienced players such as centre Brian Lima, playing his fifth World Cup.
And they have Alesana Tuilagi, who is as massive as a prop but plays either wing or centre and is already being hailed as the new Jonah Lomu.
All that, however, might not be enough to survive 80 bruising minutes at Parc des Princes against some of the most formidable warriors in the game.
- REUTERS
