Eddie Butler of The Guardian believes that the Springboks have identified their road to the final - and it does involve losing to Samoa in order to take the easy Euro-road.
"South Africa seem in an ominously understated mood. Even in Little Jo'burg on Thursday night, in front of a massed throng of expats in North Shore, their 87-0 victory against Namibia was registered as routine. The defending champions seem to be doing this World Cup by stealth.
"Perhaps it was that opening game against Wales that has knocked them off the radar. There is a theory that they spent so much time with all their sponsors at swanky farewell parties back home that they arrived a little overfed and watered in New Zealand. We know how dangerous it can be to party hard.
"There is another theory: that Wales simply played very well and provided the kick in the rear that the defending champions needed. Some say there was never much doubt that these sluggish Springboks would work their way down to the other end of the field after Toby Faletau's try and do whatever it took – a try by Francois Hougaard – to steal the opening game.
"Others say that even if they had lost, South Africa would be OK. This route through the pools, that route through the knockout stages – who cares? South Africa are not light on confidence on any road, even if for the moment it is hushed."
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