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
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.
Get all the Rugby World Cup odds here.
KICK-OFF! Australia 0-0 Fiji, 1 mins
I’m excited for this one - could be the game of the World Cup so far! So much on the line. Referee Andrew Brace gets us underway
Australia vs Fiji
A final bit of pre-match viewing. Australia coach Eddie Jones has been interviewed on ITV - some good stuff in there
Australia vs Fiji
The teams are out on the pitch. This should be an absolute belter of a match. Can Fiji keep their quarter-final hopes alive?
Fiji team news
Simon Raiwalui makes four changes after Fiji’s narrow defeat to Wales. There are changes on both wings as Selestino Ravutaumada and Vinaya Habosi miss out, with Jiuta Wainiqolo coming in on the right wing and Semi Radradra moving out of the midfield and onto the left,with Josua Tuisova replacing him at inside centre.
Elsewhere, Simione Kuruvoli is preferred to Frank Lomani at scrum-half, while Levani Botia replaces Albert Tuisue in the back row.
Fiji XV: 15-Ilaisa Droasese, 14-Jiuta Wainiqolo, 13-Waisea Nayacalevu (c), 12-Josua Tuisova, 11-Semi Radradra, 10-Teti Tela, 9-Simione Kuruvoli; 1-Eroni Mawi, 2-Samuel Matavesi, 3-Luke Tagi, 4-Isoa Nasilasila, 5-Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 6-Lekima Tagitagivalu, 7-Levani Botia, 8-Viliame Mata.
Replacements: 16-Tevita Ikanivere, 17-Peni Ravai, 18-Mesake Doge, 19-Temo Mayanavanua, 20-Albert Tuisue, 21-Frank Lomani, 22-Vilimoni Botitu, 23-Vinaya Habosi.
When is Australia vs Fiji and how can I watch it?
When is Australia vs Fiji?
Australia vs Fiji is due to kick off at 4:45pm BST on Sunday 17 September at the S Stade Geoffroy-Guichard in Saint-Etienne.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on ITV1, with coverage on the channel from 4:15pm BST. Registered users can also stream the action via ITVX.
Is Australia vs Fiji on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch Rugby World Cup
Australia look to cement their position at the top of Pool C but they face a tricky encounter against Fiji.
Eddie Jones’s side ended their five-game losing streak in convincing fashion as they beat Georgia 35-15 on the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup. Jones is in his second stint managing the Wallabies and will be keen to build on that opening-weekend momentum against the Pacific Islanders who they are unbeaten against since 1954.
Fiji, however, will provide a stern test as they look to bounce back from their heartbreaking 32-26 defeat to Wales in Bordeaux last weekend and keep their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals alive.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Is Australia vs Fiji on TV? Channel, start time and how to watch Rugby World Cup
Everything you need to know ahead of the Pool C fixture
Australia team news - captain Will Skelton ruled out with a calf injury
Australia captain Will Skelton has been withdrawn from today’s crunch World Cup clash against Fiji with a calf strain after failing to prove his fitness.
Hooker Dave Porecki will lead the Wallabies in the Pool C match in his absence, while Richie Arnold will take his place in the second row and Matt Philip comes in as cover for the locks on the bench.
Skelton’s injury is a second blow for Australia this week as they prepare for a match at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard which could all but earn them a place in the quarter-finals. Tighthead prop Taniela “Tongan Thor” Tupou will miss the match after sustaining a hamstring strain also described as minor by team officials.
Team: 15-Ben Donaldson, 14-Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13-Jordan Petaia, 12-Samu Kerevi, 11-Marika Koroibete, 10-Carter Gordon, 9-Nic White, 8-Rob Valetini, 7-Fraser McReight, 6-Tom Hooper, 5-Richie Arnold, 4-Nick Frost, 3-James Slipper, 2-David Porecki (captain), 1-Angus Bell
Replacements: 16-Jordan Uelese, 17-Blake Schoupp, 18-Zane Nonggorr, 19-Matt Philip, 20-Rob Leota, 21-Issak Fines-Leleiwasa, 22-Lalakai Foketi, 23-Suliasi Vunivalu
Australia vs Fiji
Ok, with that huge South Africa win in the books, we’ll be turning our attention to Australia vs Fiji very shortly. It’s arguably the biggest game of the weekend with serious implications in the race for the quarter-final places in Pool C.
South Africa 76-0 Romania
Here was one of Makazole Mapimpi’s three tries today. A superb performance from the flying winger
FULL-TIME! South Africa 76-0 Romania
And that’s it! All over in Bordeaux as South Africa do exactly what’s expected of them - they thump Romania 76-0, very impressive.
Reinach and Mapimpi with hat-tricks and they now turn attention towards Ireland. A huge game
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments