![](https://static.independent.co.uk/2023/09/17/14/newFile.jpg)
(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.
Get all the Rugby World Cup odds here.
FULL-TIME! Australia 15-22 Fiji
Pool C is wide, wide open. Who do you fancy to get through now? Wales vs Australia next Sunday is absolutely huge.
Luke Baker17 September 2023 18:50
FULL-TIME! Australia 15-22 Fiji
Wow! What a brilliant 80-minute display from all 23 men in the Fiji squad. They fully deserved that win – they controlled the game, dominated the breakdown with turnover after turnover and took their points through the exquisite kicking of Simione Kuruvoli.
Then, when they had the opportunity, snatch a try through Josua Tuisova and that ultimately proved enough.
A first win over Australia since 1954 and keeps their hopes of reaching the World Cup semi-finals very much alive
Luke Baker17 September 2023 18:45
FULL-TIME! Australia 15-22 Fiji
Lomani misses the penalty but it’s hard enough to go dead. FIJI WIN!
(REUTERS)
Luke Baker17 September 2023 18:42
Australia 15-22 Fiji, 80 mins
Oooh, interesting call. Fiji going for the posts to try and deny Australia a losing bonus point.
It’s on the 10-metre line, so if Lomani misses he has to make sure it goes dead so the Aussies can’t return it.
Luke Baker17 September 2023 18:41
Australia 15-22 Fiji, 80 mins
HUGE HUGE SCRUM! Fiji splinter the Wallaby front row and win the penalty! Massive roars from the crowd.
Luke Baker17 September 2023 18:40
Australia 15-22 Fiji, 80 mins
Knocked on! Australia will have a scrum as the clock ticks red. Last play and they need a converted try to draw.
Luke Baker17 September 2023 18:39
Australia 15-22 Fiji, 79 mins
Australia deep in their own 22 so have to clear. Good kick towards halfway.
This time Fiji win the ball on their own throw! They set up the maul. 30 seconds to kill.
Luke Baker17 September 2023 18:39
Australia 15-22 Fiji, 78 mins
Scrum is good this time. And Fiji on the attack!
Waisea Nayacalevu slips between defenders towards the 22, throws a pass out wide right to Vinaya Habosi and there’s green space in front of him but great scramble defence across by Australia to force him into touch.
Luke Baker17 September 2023 18:38
Australia 15-22 Fiji, 78 mins
A scrum wheels but Andrew Brace determines it has gone straight up, so just a reset. Fijian put-in on halfway.
Luke Baker17 September 2023 18:37
Australia 15-22 Fiji, 78 mins
Into the final couple of minutes… Fiji are agonisingly close to their first win over Australia since 1954. But there’s still work to be done.
Luke Baker17 September 2023 18:36