Springboks get a break before Samoa match

Giant second row Bakkies Botha is unlikely to play in South Africa's Pool D match against Samoa on Friday after aggravating an achilles tendon injury.

Springboks coach Peter de Villiers said on Saturday that Botha was the biggest injury concern heading into the clash with the physical Samoans at North Harbour Stadium in Auckland.

De Villiers has given his players a two-day break after bruising encounters against Fiji and Namibia in which the Springboks racked up 136 points and conceded just three.

Botha suffered a recurrence of his achilles injury during South Africa's 87-0 victory over Namibia in Auckland on Thursday night, when he celebrated his 32nd birthday.

"He's a worry at the moment. I don't think that Bakkies is where I want him to be," de Villiers said at a childrens' coach clinic at Owen Delany Park in Taupo on Saturday.

"He's such a valuable player in our side but a 90 per cent (fit) Bakkies won't be good enough. He'll have to be 100 per cent.

"He's in doubt for Samoa. We'll be guided by the medical team and by Bakkies himself."

The coach looked relaxed at the coaching clinic and kept reporters entertained with his colourful ripostes when quizzed about South Africa's final pool match.

Smit rested

Asked about the Springboks gaining momentum and form heading into a likely quarter-final against Tri Nations champions Australia, de Villiers said: "It's like going on a flight.

"You know where you want to be but everything up in the air causes you to go off your course. But the main thing is to land safely at the airport and we're on our way to the airport."

De Villiers said hooker Bismark du Plessis would be a definite starter against Samoa and captain John Smit, who has played all three RWC 2011 matches, would be rested.

"John needs a rest," the coach said. "He's like Duracell (batteries) at the moment, he just keeps on going. Not that he squeals, but I have to manage him too."

Injured centre Jean de Villiers (ribs) and second row Victor Matfield (hamstring) are rated good chances of making their comebacks on Friday.

"We're hopeful. We've got a cut-off date of Sunday night so I want them to enjoy themselves, maybe put the South Island north and the North Island south," de Villiers said.

The Springboks defeated Samoa 59-7 at RWC 2007 in Paris, a match Smit remembers for its torrid opening stages.

"That game was colossal," he said. "The first 20 minutes was huge in the physical battle we had. We can expect even more of that this time around.

"I think they're a far better team and they've been able to pick their players from all around the world. They'll certainly have a huge point to prove."