The Boks entered the test needing a bonus point win to top Pool B to ensure they will advance.

The men in green-and-gold lead the match 14-0 at the half-time break, however opened the flood gates in the second stanza with a further 50 unanswered points.

Bryan Habana went over for a hat-trick of tries to equals All Blacks great Jono Lomu’s record of 15 career World Cup tries, and narrowly fell short of claiming the record as he fumbled the ball going over for a fourth try.

Coach Heyke Meyer says he is proud of Habana who is now the leading try scoring winger in test rugby.

"I am so proud of him not just as a rugby player but as a human being as well. He is a great ambassador for South Africa.

“Bryan would be the first to admit it’s not about the individual, but the team. He’s has always played well for me and always comes through in the big games. 

“When we really needed him in the last two or three weeks, Bryan delivered his best."

The coach added he is over the moon with the teams defence.

"They always say you have to win World Cups with defence and I’m very happy with our defence at this moment. We have only conceded one try in the last three games and that was an intercept try. I’m proud of the guys, we scrummed and mauled well."

Captain Fourie du Preez says after the pressure of the past few weeks the team with take a breather and then start focusing on the quarter-finals which will be against Wales or the Wallabies.

“After the Japan game, every single game we played was a knockout game for us. Whether that is good or bad I don’t know but we now have a few days to reflect on the last three and a half weeks.

“We will get together on Sunday and only then focus on that quarterfinal.”

In last nights’ other game, Georgia wrapped their 2015 campaign with their second win by edging Namibia 17-16.

Scorers:

Springboks 64 – Tries - Bryan Habana 3, Francois Louw 2, Damian de Allende, Bismarck du Plessis, Jesse Kriel and Lwazi Mvovo, Penalty try; Conv.- Handre Pollard 4; Morne Steyn 3.

USA 0.

Morgan Piek / OFM News