South African captain Joost Van der Westhuizen extended his South African try-scoring record as the Springboks wrapped up their Pool A campaign with another dismal victory over Uruguay.
Van der Westhuizen clinched his 27th international try but their win was overshadowed with the sending off of centre Brendan Venter for stamping in the final moments of the first half. Venter will certainly miss the quarter-final stage and maybe sit out even longer.
By that time, however, South Africa were already assured of their victory mainly thanks to the faultless kicking of Jannie De Beer and five tries overall in the opening half. For De Beer it was a satisfying display with four kicks and two penalties to his name after only getting a place in the team via the absence of Henry Honiball. The Springboks spent the opening exchanges camped in the Uruguayan half and it took just seven minutes for De Beer to score their first try.
In the 18th minute Van der Westhuizen secured his 27th try for the Springboks after a well worked move. In the 25th minute De Beer kicked another penalty.
Uraguay got their only points in the 29th minute with an Aguirre penalty. Six minutes before the break South Africa virtually secured the victory when right wing Deon Kayser went over to make the score 25-0.
However, in the final stages of the first half the match was marred by the dismissal of Venter.
The Springboks star was given his marching orders for callously stamping on Uruguayan Martin Panizza.
After the restart South Africa had to work overtime as their opponents tried to work the spare man to their advantage.
In the 49th minute Cobus Visagie was grounded just yards from the Uruguayan try line. Indiscipline started creeping into the South Africa play and they allowed another superb try scoring opportunity to go begging when they were penalised after winning a scrum on the Uruguayan line.
Uruguayans responded in the second half with a spirited and uplifting performance and the Springboks were clearly rattled.
However substitute Albert Van Den Berg settled South African nerves when he powered over the line with 11 minutes remaining. In the 76th minute Van Den Berg got over for his second try.
SCORERS: South Africa: Tries - Van Berg (2), Fleck, Keyser, Van der Westhuizen. Cons - De Beer (4); Pens - De Beer (2). Uruguay: Pen - D Aguirre.
SOUTH AFRICA: A. Venter, P. Rossouw, de Beer, van der Westhuizen, du Randt, Drotske, Visagie, Otto, Andrews, Erasmus, B. Venter, Skinstad. Replacements: van den Bergh for Visagie (23), le Roux for Du Randt (52). Not Used: Terblanche, Muller, Swanepoel, Vos, C. Rossouw.
URUGUAY: Cardoso, Menchaca, Vecino, Paullier, Costabile, D. Aguirre, Sosa Diaz, Sanchez, Lamelas, Lemoine, Bado Carlos, Lame, Grille, Panizza, Ormaechea. Replacements: Viana for Menchaca (78), S. Aguirre for D Aguirre (14), Brignoni for Panizza (57), Berruti for Sanchez (69), Alzueta for Lame (79). Not Used: Storace, De Los Santos.
Referee: Peter Marshall (Australia).
