Boks face blue All Blacks

The Springboks could just as well be facing an All Blacks side on Friday. That is how much Samoa have improved since the teams last met at a World Cup.

South Africa and Samoa meet on Friday in what has shaped up as a Pool D decider, with the winner going on, probably, to meet the Wallabies in the quarterfinals a week on Sunday in Wellington.

The tight five of Samoa in their 27-7 win against Fiji last Sunday are players hardened in New Zealand, England and France. Sixteen of their squad play club rugby in Europe.

But it is the New Zealand influence in the team that makes them resemble the All Blacks.

Bok centre Jaque Fourie, who was part of the team that beat Samoa 59-7 at the 2007 World Cup, believes the Samoans base their approach on the New Zealand way.

"I think their scrumhalf [Kahn] Fotuali'i has brought a lot from New Zealand and the Crusaders into their structures," said Fourie.

Samoa have broadened their horizons since their most recent meeting with the Springboks four years ago, when Bryan Habana scored four tries against them. The tactical nous that eluded them then has since been acquired.

"They are dangerous, especially from broken play, but they are even more dangerous [now that] they are structured," said Fourie. "I think they tried to structure their game around what the All Blacks do."

Fourie said the Boks were expecting a straight and direct approach from Samoa.

Asked about the strengths of Samoa's experienced inside centre Seilala Mapusua, who plays for the Kubota Spears in Japan, Fourie did not just focus on the individual.

"He is an old campaigner," said Fourie of the former Otago Highlander and Canterbury Crusader. "We know what to expect. They are very physical. They are direct and they have no funny business. They defend well, as well, so we have to be clinical. We need to be as physical and as direct.

"They stay within their structure and they do it well. We're not going to be making plans around certain individuals.

"We've played against him when he played for the Crusaders so we won't make any special plans around him. They are very physical and will punish you when things get loose. If your kicking game is not up to standard and your first phases aren't up to standard they will punish you.

"You might get away with it against Namibia but these guys will punish you," Fourie said.

Winning on Friday is a non-negotiable but the Springboks could still win their group even in defeat. They have a massive points-difference advantage over Samoa and Wales.

"Our goal has always been to win all the pool games," said Fourie. "Losing and being knocked out is in the back of our heads. That is the reality. If we lose without a bonus point we could be out of it."

But that is a prospect the Springboks are not even willing to contemplate.