South Africa have been dealt a massive blow as team captain Jean De Villiers has been ruled out of the rest of the tournament with a broken jaw.
The centre, who has plans to retire after the tournament, was replaced in the 72nd minute after receiving a heavy blow to the jaw, however, he returned to the field in the 77th minute after Jesse Kriel suffered an injury.
South Africa managed a comfortable win on the scoreboard, but it was a typically bruising Samoan performance with hard and heavy hits all over the pitch, with the 'Boks now counting the cost.
It is a cruel twist of fate for the 34-year-old, who looked like he would miss the World Cup following a horrific knee injury picked up in the against Wales last November.
Boks coach Heyneke Meyer said that “Jean is not only our captain and one of the most experienced players in the squad, but he is also the glue of this team and to lose him is very sad"
“After injuring his knee last November in Cardiff, he worked incredibly hard to get back to full fitness and the plans worked out perfectly, but rugby is a physical sport and injuries happen."
Injury has blighted the centre's previous World Cups, with only a handful of his 109 caps earned at the World Cup. He missed the 2003 tournament due to a knee injury sustained five minutes into his debut against France.
Then in 2007 he tore his bicep in the opening game, ruling him out of the tournament that the Springboks went on to win. Four years later he sustained a rib injury against Wales in the opening game, before making a cameo in the quarter final as his side lost 11-9 to Australia.
It is another blow for Meyer after their opening day defeat to Japan, but he feels that they and DeVilliers can overcome this challenge.
“Jean has fought back from all his injuries and this is the kind of character and fighting spirit we will need to show going forward in this competition.”
Jan Serfontein has been called up as a replacement and a new squad captain will be announced during the week.
Is Jean de Villiers one of the unluckiest men in sport? 👎 #RSA #Boks #RWC2015
— Chris (@ccallaway1979) September 27, 2015
After everything Jean De Villiers has been through injury-wise over the past 12months - what a cruel way for a true warrior to end his RWC!
— Tim Harper (@TheTimpanzee) September 27, 2015
One of the classiest men ever to play the game. Jean deVilliers is desperately unlucky to be out of #rwc2015
— Scotty Stevenson (@sumostevenson) September 27, 2015
My heart goes out to Jean de Villiers, terrible, terrible luck! Jan Serfontein to replace Jean at WC.
— Kobus Wiese (@4KobusWiese) September 27, 2015
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