23 Sep 2015

South Africa keen to avoid Samoa's physicality

2:06 pm on 23 September 2015

South Africa have no intention of taking on Samoa at their own game in their second Rugby World Cup pool game this weekend.

Following their shock loss to Japan, the Springboks have slipped down the world rankings from third to sixth, while Japan have risen two spots to 11th.

Schalk Burger of South Africa during the team's Rugby World Cup loss to Japan on Sunday.

Schalk Burger of South Africa during the team's Rugby World Cup loss to Japan on Sunday. Photo: PhotoSport

Manu Samoa players thank the crowd after beating USA at the Rugby World Cup.

Manu Samoa players thank the crowd after beating USA at the Rugby World Cup. Photo: AFP

The Boks are desperate to redeem themselves against the Manu and assistant coach, Ricardo Loubscher says his side has to move on from the defeat and focus on Samoa.

"They're always a physical side, it's always tough to play against them. We've played against them a few times now so first things first for us is to make sure we ignore their physicality. Obviously we want to play the way we want to play so it's important for us to play the way we want to play - and that's always to score tries. As I said, they're a physical side to play against and I think on Saturday will be no different".

Samoa opened their World Cup with a 25-16 victory over the USA.

The Manu have lost all eight previous tests against South Africa, including at four seperate World Cups.

Their most recent encounter was a 56-23 defeat in Pretoria two years ago.