Springboks survive Tonga fightback

LENS, France -- South Africa survived a late Tongan fightback in Pool A in Lens to claim a scrappy 30-25 victory and secure a place in the rugby World Cup quarterfinals.

Jonny Wilkinson became the second highest points scorer in World Cup history by kicking 24 points as England beat Samoa 44-22 in Nantes.

Argentina overwhelmed Namibia 63-3 and top Pool D as the only 100 percent side, ahead of France and Ireland..

The Springboks were 7-3 ahead at half-time thanks to Ruan Pienaar's try but with 21 minutes remaining, they were locked in a scrap at 10-10.

The South Africans turned on the style, and scores by Juan Smith, Bobby Skinstad and Pienaar -- his second of the afternoon -- put them 27-10 ahead and cruising to victory.

But the Tongans did not give up, and tries by Sukanaivalu Hufanga and Viliami Vaki in the space of three minutes brought them to within five points of South Africa.

The final minutes were nail-biting, with South Africa down to 13 men at one point, but they just held on for a third successive win.

Pierre Hola finished with 10 points for the Pacific Islanders, who showed they will not give up their second spot in the group to England lightly.

England, who were only four points ahead early in the second period, must beat Tonga in Paris next Friday to keep their defense of the trophy alive.

Captain Martin Corry and Paul Sackey both scored two tries, enabling England to pick up a bonus point.

Wilkinson was playing his first World Cup match since his match winning display in the 2003 final and now has 206 Cup points, 21 short of leading all-time points scorer Scottish full-back Gavin Hastings who has 227 points.

England coach Brian Ashton said: "There was a spell in the second half when we struggled a bit. But I was pleased with the start to the game and the end of the game.

"It shows that if you put some width to our team we can be quite a dangerous side. Don't be too surprised, we might do that again next week."

Argentina face under-par Ireland in Paris next weekend and if they hang on to top position in the group they would probably play Scotland or Italy in the quarterfinals.

The runners-up will have to face the mighty All Blacks.

The Pumas, having beaten hosts France 17-12 and Georgia 33-3, predictably made light work of Namibia.

They scored nine tries through Rodrigo Roncero, Juan Manuel Leguizamon (2), Manuel Contempomi, his brother Felipe Contempomi, Gonzalo Tiesi, Igancio Corleto, Federico Todeschini, and a penalty try.

Felipe Contempomi also contributed a further 14 points with the boot before going off with 20 minutes left. E-mail to a friend