2007 Rugby World Cup Pool A

Pool A of the 2007 Rugby World Cup began on 8 September and was completed on 30 September. The pool was composed of 2003 World Cup winners England, as well as Samoa, South Africa, Tonga and United States.

Main article: 2007 Rugby World Cup

Overview

Pool A threw up few surprises, with both South Africa and England qualifying for the quarter-finals, as expected. Third place went to Tonga, who beat the USA and South Pacific neighbours, Samoa, to secure a place in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Tonga also gave the eventual champions a close run, losing by less than a try. Both South Africa and England went on to reach the final of the tournament, which South Africa won by 15 points to 6.

Place Nation Games Points Bonus
points		 Table
points
Played Won Drawn Lost For Against Difference
1 South Africa 440018947+142319
2 England 430110888+20214
3 Tonga 42028996−719
4 Samoa 410369143−7415
5 United States 400461142−8111

All times local (UTC+2)

England vs United States
8 September 2007
18:00
England  28–10  United States
Tries: Robinson 35' m
Barkley 40+' c
Rees 49' c
Con: Barkley (2/3)
Pen: Barkley (3/3) 7', 22', 31'		 Report Tries: Moeakiola 74' c
Con: Hercus (1/1)
Pen: Hercus (1/1) 9'
Stade Félix Bollaert, Lens
Attendance: 36,755
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
FB15Mark Cueto
RW14Josh Lewsey
OC13Jamie Noon
IC12Mike Catt 63'
LW11Jason Robinson 67'
FH10Olly Barkley
SH9Shaun Perry 60'
N88Lawrence Dallaglio 74' to 80+'
OF7Tom Rees
BF6Joe Worsley 69'
RL5Ben Kay
LL4Simon Shaw 63'
TP3Phil Vickery (c) 63'
HK2Mark Regan 63'
LP1Andrew Sheridan
Replacements:
HK16George Chuter 63'
PR17Matt Stevens 63'
LK18Martin Corry 63'
FL19Lewis Moody 69'
SH20Peter Richards 60'
CE21Andy Farrell 63'
CE22Mathew Tait 67'
Coach:
Brian Ashton
FB15Chris Wyles
RW14Salesi Sika 52'
OC13Paul Emerick 80+' to 80+'
IC12Thretton Palamo 30' to 40'
LW11Takudzwa Ngwenya
FH10Mike Hercus (c)
SH9Chad Erskine
N88Henry Bloomfield 56'
OF7Todd Clever
BF6Louis Stanfill
RL5Mike Mangan 69'
LL4Alec Parker
TP3Chris Osentowski
HK2Owen Lentz 53'
LP1Mike MacDonald 60'
Replacements:
HK16Blake Burdette 53'
PR17Matekitonga Moeakiola 60'
LK18Hayden Mexted 69'
FL19Inaki Basauri 56'
SH20Michael Petri
FH21Valenese Malifa 52'
CE22Albert Tuipulotu
Coach:
Peter Thorburn

Man of the Match:
Olly Barkley (England)

Touch judges:
Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Television match official:
Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Fourth official:
Bruno Gaudefrin (France)
Fifth official:
Eric Molier (France)

South Africa vs Samoa
9 September 2007
16:00
South Africa  59–7  Samoa
Tries: Habana (4) 33' m, 56' c, 66' c, 76' m
Montgomery (2) 40+' c, 53' m
Fourie 47' c
JP Pietersen 80+' c
Con: Montgomery (5/8)
Pen: Montgomery (3/3) 3', 10', 15'		 Report Try: Williams 18' c
Con: Williams (1/1)
Parc des Princes, Paris
Attendance: 46,575
Referee: Paul Honiss (New Zealand)
FB15Percy Montgomery
RW14JP Pietersen
OC13Jaque Fourie
IC12Jean de Villiers 43'
LW11Bryan Habana
FH10Butch James 59'
SH9Fourie du Preez 65'
N88Danie Rossouw 65'
OF7Juan Smith
BF6Schalk Burger
RL5Victor Matfield
LL4Bakkies Botha 67'
TP3CJ van der Linde 67'
HK2John Smit (c) 64'
LP1Os du Randt 51' 67'
Replacements:
HK16Bismarck du Plessis 64'
PR17B. J. Botha 51'
LK18Johannes Muller 67'
FL19Wickus van Heerden 65'
SH20Enrico Januarie 65'
FH21Andre Pretorius 59'
FB22Francois Steyn 43'
Coach:
Jake White
FB15David Lemi
RW14Lome Fa'atau 61'
OC13Gavin Williams
IC12Jerry Meafou 61'
LW11Alesana Tuilagi
FH10Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu 59'
SH9Junior Polu
N88Henry Tuilagi 57'
OF7Semo Sititi (c)
BF6Daniel Leo
RL5Kane Thompson
LL4Joe Tekori 63'
TP3Census Johnston
HK2Mahonri Schwalger
LP1Justin Va'a 63'
Replacements:
HK16Tani Fuga 65'
PR17Kas Lealamanua 63'
PR18Alfie Vaeluaga 57'
FL19Justin Purdie 63'
CE20Elvis Seveali'i 61'
FH21Loki Crichton 59'
WG22Brian Lima 61' 65'
Coach:
Michael Jones

Man of the Match:
Percy Montgomery (South Africa)

Touch judges:
Chris White (England)
Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Television match official:
Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Fourth official:
Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Fifth official:
Eric Gauzins (France)

United States vs Tonga
12 September 2007
14:00
United States  15–25  Tonga
Tries: MacDonald 47' m
Stanfill 67' c
Con: Hercus (1/2)
Pen: Hercus (1/2) 33'		 Report Tries: Maka 2' c
Vaka 59' m
Vaki 70' c
Con: Hola (2/3)
Pen: Hola (2/2) 7', 26'
Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
Attendance: 25,000
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
FB15Chris Wyles
RW14Salesi Sika
OC13Albert Tuipulotu
IC12Thretton Palamo 61'
LW11Takudzwa Ngwenya
FH10Mike Hercus (c)
SH9Chad Erskine
N88Henry Bloomfield 54'
OF7Todd Clever
BF6Louis Stanfill
RL5Mike Mangan
LL4Alec Parker
TP3Chris Osentowski
HK2Owen Lentz 47'
LP1Mike MacDonald 54'
Replacements:
HK16Blake Burdette 47'
PR17Matekitonga Moeakiola 54'
LK18Hayden Mexted
FL19Inaki Basauri 54'
SH20Michael Petri
FH21Valenese Malifa
CE22Philip Eloff 61'
Coach:
Peter Thorburn
FB15Vungakoto Lilo
RW14Tevita Tu'ifua
OC13Sukanaivalu Hufanga
IC12Epi Taione 71'
LW11Joseph Vaka 61'
FH10Pierre Hola
SH9Soane Havea 41'
N88Finau Maka 65'
OF7Nili Latu (c) 65'
BF6Hale T Pole
RL5Paino Hehea
LL4Lisiate Fa'aoso
TP3Kisi Pulu
HK2Aleki Lutui 76'
LP1Soane Tonga'uiha 66'
Replacements:
HK16Ephraim Taukafa 76'
PR17Toma Toke 66'
FL18Viliami Vaki 65'
N819Lotu Filipine 65'
FB20Sione Tu'ipulotu 41'
CE21Isileli Tupou 71'
WG22Aisea Havili 61'
Coach:
Quddus Fielea

Man of the Match:
Mike MacDonald (United States)

Touch judges:
Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Christophe Berdos (France)
Television match official:
Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Fourth official:
Paul Honiss (New Zealand)
Fifth official:
Jean-Christophe Gastou (France)

England vs South Africa
14 September 2007
21:00
England  0–36  South Africa
Report Tries: Smith 6' c
Pietersen (2) 38' c, 64' c
Con: Montgomery (3/3)
Pen: Steyn (1/1) 11'
Montgomery (4/4) 36', 46', 55', 79'
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Attendance: 77,523
Referee: Joël Jutge (France)
FB15Jason Robinson 58'
RW14Josh Lewsey
OC13Jamie Noon 80'
IC12Andy Farrell
LW11Paul Sackey
FH10Mike Catt
SH9Shaun Perry 41'
N88Lawrence Dallaglio
OF7Tom Rees 53'
BF6Martin Corry (c)
RL5Ben Kay
LL4Simon Shaw 55' to 60' 78'
TP3Matt Stevens
HK2Mark Regan 56'
LP1Andrew Sheridan 78'
Replacements:
HK16George Chuter 56'
PR17Perry Freshwater 78'
LK18Steve Borthwick 55' 60' 78'
FL19Lewis Moody 53'
SH20Andy Gomarsall 41'
SH21Peter Richards 80'
CE22Mathew Tait 58'
Coach:
Brian Ashton
FB15Percy Montgomery
RW14JP Pietersen
OC13Jaque Fourie
IC12Francois Steyn 76'
LW11Bryan Habana 56' to 61'
FH10Butch James 71'
SH9Fourie du Preez 67'
N88Danie Rossouw
OF7Juan Smith 71'
BF6Wickus van Heerden
RL5Victor Matfield
LL4Bakkies Botha 53'
TP3B. J. Botha
HK2John Smit (c) 71'
LP1Os du Randt 61'
Replacements:
HK16Bismarck du Plessis 71'
PR17CJ van der Linde 61'
LK18Johannes Muller 53'
N819Bobby Skinstad 71'
SH20Ruan Pienaar 56' 61' 67'
FH21Andre Pretorius 71'
CE22Wynand Olivier 76'
Coach:
Jake White

Man of the Match:
Fourie du Preez (South Africa)

Touch judges:
Kelvin Deaker (New Zealand)
Carlo Damasco (Italy)
Television match official:
Simon McDowell (Ireland)
Fourth official:
Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Fifth official:
Eric Gauzins (France)

Notes
  • Percy Montgomery equalled Joost van der Westhuizen as the most-capped Springbok with his 89th appearance.
  • This was the first scoreless match for England at the World Cup; it was also the first time a past World Champion had failed to score in a World Cup match. It was only the fifth time a side had failed to score in a World Cup match, after Canada, Spain, Namibia and Romania, although Scotland joined this list later in the tournament.

Samoa vs Tonga
16 September 2007
16:00
Samoa  15–19  Tonga
Pen: Williams (5/6) 6', 21', 23', 29', 69' Report Try: Taione 60' c
Con: Hola (1/1)
Pen: Hola (4/5) 3', 38', 47', 67'
Stade de la Mosson, Montpellier
Attendance: 24,128
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
FB15Gavin Williams 80'
RW14Sailosi Tagicakibau 56'
OC13Elvis Seveali'i
IC12Brian Lima
LW11Alesana Tuilagi
FH10Loki Crichton
SH9Steve So'oialo 56'
N88Semo Sititi (c)
OF7Ulia Ulia 62'
BF6Daniel Leo
RL5Kane Thompson
LL4Joe Tekori 62'
TP3Census Johnston 56' 80'
HK2Mahonri Schwalger 59'
LP1Justin Va'a
Replacements:
HK16Tanielu Fuga 59'
HK17Muliufi Salanoa 56' 80'
LK18Leo Lafaiali'i 62'
FL19Justin Purdie 62'
SH20Junior Polu 56'
FH21Lolo Lui 80'
WG22David Lemi 56'
Coach:
Michael Jones
FB15Vungakoto Lilo
RW14Tevita Tu'ifua
OC13Sukanaivalu Hufanga
IC12Epeli Taione 28' to 38' 73'
LW11Joseph Vaka
FH10Pierre Hola
SH9Enele Taufa 43'
N88Finau Maka 80'
OF7Nili Latu (c)
BF6Hale T Pole 72'
RL5Paino Hehea
LL4Inoke Afeaki 56'
TP3Kisi Pulu
HK2Ephraim Taukafa 50'
LP1Soane Tonga'uiha 73' 80'
Replacements:
HK16Aleki Lutui 50'
PR17Toma Toke 75' to 80+' 73'
FL18Viliami Vaki 56'
FL19Emosi Kauhenga
FB20Sione Tu'ipulotu 43'
CE21Isileli Tupou 73'
FB22Hudson Tonga'uiha
Coach:
Quddus Fielea

Man of the Match:
Finau Maka (Tonga)

Touch judges:
Alan Lewis (Ireland)
Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Television match official:
Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Fourth official:
Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Fifth official:
Jean-Christophe Gastou (France)

South Africa vs Tonga
22 September 2007
14:00
South Africa  30–25  Tonga
Tries: Pienaar (2) 18' c, 65' m
Smith 59' c
Skinstad 62' m
Con: Pretorius (1/1)
Montgomery (1/3)
Pen: Steyn (1/1) 54'
Montgomery (1/1) 76'		 Report Tries: Pulu 44' c
Hufanga 70' m
Vaki 72' c
Con: Hola (2/3)
Pen: Hola (2/3) 9', 78'
Stade Félix Bollaert, Lens
Attendance: 40,069
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
FB15Ruan Pienaar
RW14Ashwin Willemse 48'
OC13Wynand Olivier
IC12Wayne Julies 48'
LW11JP Pietersen
FH10Andre Pretorius 60'
SH9Ricky Januarie
N88Bobby Skinstad (c)
OF7Danie Rossouw 25' to 31' 50'
BF6Wickus van Heerden
RL5Albert van den Berg 48'
LL4Bakkies Botha
TP3CJ van der Linde
HK2Gary Botha 48'
LP1Gurthro Steenkamp 48'
Replacements:
HK16John Smit 48'
PR17B. J. Botha 48'
LK18Victor Matfield 48'
FL19Juan Smith 25' 31' 50'
WG20Bryan Habana 69' to 79' 48'
FH21Francois Steyn 63' to 74' 48'
FB22Percy Montgomery 60'
Coach:
Jake White
FB15Vungakoto Lilo
RW14Tevita Tu'ifua
OC13Sukanaivalu Hufanga
IC12Epeli Taione 77'
LW11Joseph Vaka 63' to 73' 73'
FH10Pierre Hola
SH9Sione Tu'ipulotu 67'
N88Finau Maka
OF7Nili Latu (c) 67'
BF6Viliami Vaki
RL5Emosi Kauhenga 51' to 67'
LL4Paino Hehea 67'
TP3Kisi Pulu
HK2Aleki Lutui 67'
LP1Soane Tonga'uiha
Replacements:
HK16Ephraim Taukafa 67'
PR17Toma Toke
LK18Inoke Afeaki 51'
FL19Lotu Filipine 67'
SH20Soane Havea 67'
CE21Isileli Tupou 77'
WG22Aisea Havili 73'
Coach:
Quddus Fielea

Man of the Match:
Finau Maka (Tonga)

Touch judges:
Federico Cuesta (Argentina)
Paul Marks (Australia)
Television match official:
Malcolm Changleng (Scotland)
Fourth official:
Tony Spreadbury (England)
Fifth official:
Bruno Gaudefrin (France)

Notes

England vs Samoa
22 September 2007
16:00
England  44–22  Samoa
Tries: Corry (2) 2' c, 76' c
Sackey (2) 32' c, 80+' m
Con: Wilkinson (3/4)
Pen: Wilkinson (4/6) 15', 22', 33', 72'
Drop: Wilkinson (2/3) 6', 69'		 Report Try: Polu 47' c
Con: Crichton (1/1)
Pen: Crichton (5/5) 9', 12', 38', 40+, 42'
Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes
Attendance: 37,022
Referee: Alan Lewis (Ireland)
FB15Josh Lewsey
RW14Paul Sackey
OC13Mathew Tait 73'
IC12Olly Barkley
LW11Mark Cueto
FH10Jonny Wilkinson
SH9Andy Gomarsall
N88Nick Easter
OF7Joe Worsley 70'
BF6Martin Corry (c)
RL5Ben Kay
LL4Simon Shaw 65'
TP3Matt Stevens
HK2George Chuter
LP1Andrew Sheridan 65'
Replacements:
HK16Mark Regan
PR17Perry Freshwater 65'
LK18Steve Borthwick 65'
FL19Lewis Moody 70'
SH20Peter Richards
CE21Andy Farrell
CE22Dan Hipkiss 73'
Coach:
Brian Ashton
FB15Loki Crichton
RW14David Lemi
OC13Seilala Mapusua 70'
IC12Brian Lima 73'
LW11Alesana Tuilagi
FH10Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu
SH9Junior Polu 67'
N88Henry Tuilagi 70'
OF7Semo Sititi (c)
BF6Daniel Leo
RL5Kane Thompson
LL4Joe Tekori 75'
TP3Census Johnston 75'
HK2Mahonri Schwalger
LP1Kas Lealamanua 62' 75'
Replacements:
HK16Tanielu Fuga
PR17Fosi Pala'amo 62'
FL18Justin Purdie 75'
PR19Alfie Vaeluaga 70'
CE20Steve So'oialo 67'
CE21Jerry Meafou 70'
FH22Lolu Lui 73'
Coach:
Michael Jones

Man of the Match:
Loki Crichton (Samoa)

Touch judges:
Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Lyndon Bray (New Zealand)
Television match official:
Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Fourth official:
Steve Walsh (New Zealand)
Fifth official:
Eric Gauzins (France)

Samoa vs United States
26 September 2007
20:00
Samoa  25–21  United States
Tries: Fa'atau 5' m
Tuilagi 9' c
Thompson 37' c
Con: Crichton (2/3)
Pen: Crichton (2/2) 30', 72'		 Report Tries: Ngwenya 53' c
Stanfill 79' m
Con: Hercus (1/2)
Pen: Hercus (3/4) 32', 65', 75'
FB15Loki Crichton
RW14Lome Fa'atau 60' 79'
OC13Elvis Seveali'i
IC12Brian Lima 79'
LW11Alesana Tuilagi
FH10Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu 70'
SH9Junior Polu 70'
N88Alfie Vaeluaga 67' 70'
OF7Justin Purdie 78'
BF6Semo Sititi (c)
RL5Kane Thompson 64'
LL4Leo Lafaiali'i
TP3Census Johnston
HK2Mahonri Schwalger 73' 78'
LP1Kas Lealamanua 70'
Replacements:
HK16Silao Vaisola Sefo 76' to 80+' 73'
PR17Na'ama Leleimalefaga 70'
LK18Joe Tekori 64'
FL19Ulia Ulia 67' 70'
SH20Steve So'oialo 70'
WG21David Lemi 60'
FH22Lolo Lui 70'
Coach:
Michael Jones
FB15Chris Wyles
RW14Takudzwa Ngwenya
OC13Philip Eloff
IC12Vahafolau Esikia 73'
LW11Salesi Sika
FH10Mike Hercus (c)
SH9Chad Erskine
N88Fifita Mounga 52' to 62' 64'
OF7Todd Clever 45'
BF6Louis Stanfill
RL5Hayden Mexted
LL4Alec Parker
TP3Chris Osentowski
HK2Owen Lentz
LP1Mike MacDonald 68'
Replacements:
HK16Blake Burdette 45'
PR17Matekitonga Moeakiola 68'
N818Henry Bloomfield
FL19Mark Aylor 64'
SH20Michael Petri
FH21Valenese Malifa
CE22Albert Tuipulotu 73'
Coach:
Peter Thorburn

Man of the Match:
Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu (Samoa)

Touch judges:
Hugh Watkins (Wales)
Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Television match official:
Dave Pearson (England)
Fourth official:
Nigel Owens (Wales)
Fifth official:
Cyril Lafon (France)

England vs Tonga
28 September 2007
21:00
England  36–20  Tonga
Tries: Sackey (2) 20' m, 38' m
Tait 57' c
Farrell 66' c
Con: Wilkinson (2/4)
Pen: Wilkinson (2/3) 14', 36'
Drop: Wilkinson (2/2) 32', 72'		 Report Tries: Hufanga 17' c
Pole 80' c
Con: Hola (2/2)
Pen: Hola (2/2) 11', 55'
Parc des Princes, Paris
Attendance: 45,085
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
FB15Josh Lewsey
RW14Paul Sackey 69'
OC13Mathew Tait
IC12Olly Barkley 52'
LW11Mark Cueto 73'
FH10Jonny Wilkinson
SH9Andy Gomarsall
N88Nick Easter
OF7Lewis Moody
BF6Martin Corry (c) 64'
RL5Ben Kay
LL4Steve Borthwick
TP3Matt Stevens 58'
HK2George Chuter 68'
LP1Andrew Sheridan
Replacements:
HK16Lee Mears 68'
PR17Phil Vickery 58'
N818Lawrence Dallaglio 64'
FL19Joe Worsley
SH20Peter Richards 73'
CE21Andy Farrell 52'
CE22Dan Hipkiss 69'
Coach:
Brian Ashton
FB15Vungakoto Lilo
RW14Tevita Tu'ifua
OC13Sukanaivalu Hufanga 60'
IC12Epeli Taione
LW11Joseph Vaka 67'
FH10Pierre Hola
SH9Sione Tu'ipulotu 69'
N88Finau Maka
OF7Nili Latu (c)
BF6Hale T Pole
RL5Lisiate Fa'aoso 67'
LL4Viliami Vaki 61'
TP3Kisi Pulu
HK2Aleki Lutui 65'
LP1Soane Tonga'uiha 46' to 50' 55'
Replacements:
HK16Ephraim Taukafa 65'
PR17Taufa'ao Filise 46' 50' 55'
FL18Maama Molitika 61'
LK19Inoke Afeaki 67'
SH20Paino Hehea 69'
FB21Hudson Tonga'uiha 60'
WG22Aisea Havili 67'
Coach:
Quddus Fielea

Man of the Match:
Paul Sackey (England)

Touch judges:
Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Christophe Berdos (France)
Television match official:
Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Fourth official:
Tony Spreadbury (England)
Fifth official:
Eric Molier (France)

South Africa vs United States
30 September 2007
20:00
South Africa  64–15  United States
Tries: Burger 10' c
Steyn 28' c
Habana (2) 35' c, 42' m
van der Linde 48' c
du Preez 54' c
Fourie (2) 64' c, 73' c
Smith 77' c
Con: Montgomery (6/7)
James (2/2)
Pen: Montgomery (1/1) 17'		 Report Tries: Ngwenya 39' c
Wyles 51' m
Con: Hercus (1/2)
Pen: Hercus (1/1) 20'
FB15Percy Montgomery 67'
RW14Akona Ndungane
OC13Jaque Fourie
IC12Francois Steyn 67'
LW11Bryan Habana 53'
FH10Butch James
SH9Fourie du Preez
N88Schalk Burger
OF7Juan Smith
BF6Wickus van Heerden 71'
RL5Victor Matfield 75'
LL4Albert van den Berg 56' 75'
TP3B. J. Botha 25'
HK2John Smit (c)
LP1Os du Randt 72'
Replacements:
HK16Bismarck du Plessis 72'
PR17CJ van der Linde 25'
LK18Bakkies Botha 56'
N819Bobby Skinstad 71'
SH20Ruan Pienaar 67'
FH21Andre Pretorius 67'
WG22JP Pietersen 53'
Coach:
Jake White
FB15Chris Wyles 75'
RW14Takudzwa Ngwenya
OC13Philip Eloff
IC12Vahafolau Esikia
LW11Salesi Sika 75'
FH10Mike Hercus (c)
SH9Chad Erskine 75'
N88Dan Payne 75'
OF7Todd Clever 24' to 32' 43' to 55'
BF6Louis Stanfill 75'
RL5Mike Mangan
LL4Alec Parker
TP3Chris Osentowski
HK2Owen Lentz 75'
LP1Mike MacDonald 49'
Replacements:
HK16Blake Burdette 75'
PR17Matekitonga Moeakiola 49'
FL18Mark Aylor 43' 55' 75'
N819Henry Bloomfield 75'
SH20Michael Petri 75'
FH21Valenese Malifa 75'
CE22Thretton Palamo 75'
Coach:
Peter Thorburn

Man of the Match:
Schalk Burger (South Africa)

Touch judges:
Federico Cuesta (Argentina)
Paul Marks (Australia)
Television match official:
Malcolm Changleng (Scotland)
Fourth official:
Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Fifth official:
Romain Poite (France)

Notes
  • Takudzwa Ngwenya's try, which he scored from his own half after faking out Bryan Habana and running past him, was named the Try of the Year in international rugby by the International Rugby Players' Association, an award handed out at the 2007 IRB Awards.[1]
  • Thretton Palamo became the youngest player ever to appear in the Rugby World Cup, at age 19 years 8 days. The previous record was held by Federico Méndez of Argentina, who appeared in the 1991 Rugby World Cup at 19 years 54 days.[2]

Notes and references
  1. Rugby News Service (2007-10-21). "Habana named IRB Player of the Year". International Rugby Board. Archived from the original on 2007-10-23. Retrieved 2007-10-21.
  2. Fitzpatrick, Joel (2007-09-05). "Thretton takes milestone in his stride". Rugby News Service. Rugby World Cup. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-19.
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