South Africa v Romania LIVE: Rugby World Cup result and reaction as Springboks run riot

South Africa 76-0 Romania: The Springboks thump the Oaks with a 12-try thrashing in Bordeaux

(PA)

South Africa thrashed Romania 76-0 to secure a bonus-point win in Bordeaux and mirror the ominous form shown by Pool B leaders Ireland in the Rugby World Cup’s toughest group.

The Springboks, despite 14 changes from the win versus Scotland in their opener, were merciless against Romania, who beat the 74-point margin from their 82-8 opening loss to Ireland, racking up the bonus point inside 20 minutes.

After missing out on a bonus point in their opener, South Africa’s goal was to score as many tries as possible to keep up with Ireland and ran in a dozen with scores for Cobus Reinach (3), Makazole Mapimpi (3), Damian Willemse, Deon Fourie, Grant Williams (2) and Willie Le Roux as well as a penalty try.

Few teams in World Cup history have had tougher opening fixtures than Romania after they faced an Ireland side on a 13-game winning streak and now the world champions but they look a shadow of the side that posed a real threat in the 1990s.

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South Africa vs Romania latest updates

• South Africa thrash Romania with a 12-try showing their second Rugby World Cup game
• FULL-TIME! South Africa 76-0 Romania
• 74’ - TRY! Le Roux gets his first World Cup try (RSA 76-0 ROM)
• 67’ - TRY! Mapimpi completes his hat-trick (RSA 71-0 ROM)
• 63’ - TRY! Mapimpi races clear down the left for long-range score (RSA 64-0 ROM)
• 62’ - TRY! Williams crashes over after neat move off the scrum (RSA 59-0 ROM)
• 55’ - TRY! Williams shows his pace for an eighth try (RSA 52-0 ROM)
• 53’ - TRY! The Springboks scrum earns a penalty try (RSA 45-0 ROM)
• 43’ - TRY! Fourie rumbles over from a driving maul (RSA 38-0 ROM)
• 24’ - TRY! Reinach completes his hat-trick from close range (RSA 33-0 ROM)
• 12’ - TRY! Willemse wraps up the bonus point inside 12 minutes with an individual score (RSA 26-0 ROM)
• 9’ - TRY! Reinach races through a gap at the base of the ruck for a simple try (RSA 19-0 ROM)
• 7’ - TRY! Mapimpi goes over after a neat inside pass from Le Roux (RSA 12-0 ROM)
• 3’ - TRY! Reinach snipes over from the scrum (RSA 5-0 ROM)

[17 September 2023 18:35 · Luke Baker]

Australia 15-22 Fiji, 76 mins

Finally Fiji win a lineout! And they maul into Australian territory but a loose pass sets them back 20 yards so they kick clear.

A spell of kick tennis but why aren’t Fiji calling mark when they catch the ball in the 22? Surely an opportunity to slow the game down?

Eventually Fiji come out on top as a Wallaby clearance goes out near halfway.

[17 September 2023 18:33 · Luke Baker]

Australia 15-22 Fiji, 74 mins

This is turning into a rinse-repeat situation! Fiji lose their own lineout on halfway, Australia carry into Fijian territory and then turn the ball over. Cleared towards halfway again.

[17 September 2023 18:32 · Luke Baker]

Australia 15-22 Fiji, 73 mins

TURNOVER! Once again, Australia get into the 22 and turn the ball over - incredible work at the breakdown by Semi Radradra this time as he jackals successfully for a penalty.

Fiji clear up to halfway and can build from there.

[17 September 2023 18:30 · Luke Baker]

Australia 15-22 Fiji, 71 mins

Fiji’s lineout is wilting under the pressure. A fourth lineout turnover but the tap-back from the Wallabies goes into touch. Ikanivere has another go but another turnover!

Australia pinch it and come forward. Big carry by Rob Valetini with space on the right. They’re into the Fiji 22.

[17 September 2023 18:29 · Luke Baker]

Australia 15-22 Fiji, 71 mins

This is where Test matches are won and lost. Who will keep their cool in crunch time?

[17 September 2023 18:27 · Luke Baker]

TRY! Australia 15-22 Fiji (Suliasi Vunivalu, 68 mins)

Well, well, well. It’s not over yet! Suliasi Vunivalu squeezes through the gap for a try!

A decent lineout sets up good position and after a couple of phases, Vunivalu spots a gap at the base, picks up and squirts through it, stretching out for the try.

Donaldson makes no mistake with the conversion and the Wallabies are back within seven points as we head into the final 10 minutes.

[17 September 2023 18:26 · Luke Baker]

Australia 8-22 Fiji, 68 mins

Samu Kerevi subbed off now. Eddie Jones looking ahead to future tests to come? There’s still plenty of time to get back intot his, to be fair.

As if to prove that, they win a jackal turnover as Lalakai Foketi gets over the ball and they’ll kick this penalty down to the corner. Foketi the man on for Kerevi incidentally.

A slow trudge off from Josua Tuisova who has put his body on the line today, Vilimoni Botitu on for him.

[17 September 2023 18:24 · Luke Baker]

PENALTY! Australia 8-22 Fiji (Frank Lomani, 66 mins)

After the stoppage, it’s a Fiji penalty in front of the posts, outside the 22.

Frank Lomani steps up and this time he makes no mistake to extend the lead to 14 points. Fiji are starting to put this game out of reach...

[17 September 2023 18:23 · Luke Baker]

Australia 8-19 Fiji, 65 mins

An immediate stop in play here as Jordan Uelese catches his head on the wrong side of Tevita Ikanivere and goes down in nasty fashion. Good work by Andrew Brace to stop the game. Thankfully Uelese is back on his feet but will obviously go off for a HIA.

Matt Philip on for Richie Arnold in the Wallaby second row

[17 September 2023 18:20 · Luke Baker]

Australia 8-19 Fiji, 64 mins

Good maul defence by Fiji and then once again, a turnover at the breakdown! Tuisova makes immediate amends for his high tackle as he gets over the ball and wins the penalty!

Five penalties they’ve won on the ground now. It’s been really poor by Australia’s pack at the breakdown.