Bryan Habana grabs hat-trick and equals Jonah Lomu record as South Africa demolish USA

Bryan Habana scored a second half hat-trick as South Africa crushed the United States 64-0 at London’s Olympic Stadium to finish top of Pool B.

The veteran made it 64 international tries and 15 in World Cups to go level with Jonah Lomu’s record.

The Springboks dominated the first period and took the lead when Damian de Allende crossed over under the posts with ease before they were awarded a penalty try when the US pack disintegrated.

Heyneke Meyer’s side crushed their opponents in the second half with Toulon poacher Habana scoring three tries in quick succession.

Francois Louw grabbed a brace while Bismarck du Plessis, Jesse Kriel and Lwazi Mvovu completed the rout as the Boks ran in ten tries.

Was this the most devastating performance of the tournament so far? No team has lost a pool game and gone on to to win the tournament but on this evidence the Boks look to have a chance of bucking that trend. The loss to Japan in Brighton appears to have given the squad a kick up their backsides so they do not take their foot off the gas in the second half and assume they have a game won. Coach Heyneke Meyer gave his side the hairdryer treatment at the break and the result was eight second-half tries. Australia's display against England was perhaps more impressive given the opposition but the way the 2007 champions kept cranking up the pressure on the States shows a clinical streak that could leave their opponents quaking in their boots.

7’ – South Africa 7-0 United States – TRY! De Allende goes over under the posts after picking up the ball off the ground and going through with ease, a soft try. Pollard boots over the conversion.

28’ – South Africa 14-0 United States – PENALTY TRY! A penalty try is awarded for a collapsed scrum, the US had been warned before. Pollard kicks over the extras.

42’ – South Africa 21-0 United States – TRY! Habana dives over for his 62nd international try after scooping up Du Preez's diagonal kick forward. Pollard kicks over the extras.

47’ - South Africa 27-0 United States – TRY! du Plessis scores the Springboks' fourth try after getting his body position low and squeezing over the line following a scrum.

52’ – South Africa 33-0 – United States – TRY! Louw touches down after a rolling maul from the lineout.

59’ – South Africa 40-0 United States -TRY! It is that man Habana again.The 32-year-old produces a well-timed run in acres of space and collects De Allende's pass to dive over. Steyn kicks the conversion.

62’ – South Africa 47-0 – United States – TRY! It is a hat-trick for Habana! This was the simplest try of the lot. Referee Gauzere called for a maul and the USA strip the ball, but it falls for the Toulon man to score. Steyn makes the kick.

69’ – South Africa 52-0 – United States - TRY! South Africa get their eighth try with Louw scoring a brace following a rolling maul. Steyn misses the penalty.

73’ – South Africa 57-0 United States – TRY! The Springboks shift the ball to their backs and Morne's inside pass sends over Kriel to touch down with ease. Steyn misses the kick.

80’+3 – South Africa 64-0 United States – TRY! Try number ten from a breakdown with Mvovo kicking the ball forward twice on the ground before diving over.

SOUTH AFRICA: le Roux, Habana, Kriel, de Allende, Mvovo, Pollard, du Preez, Mtawarira, du Plessis, Malherbe, Etzebeth, de Jager, Louw, Burger, Vermeulen. Replacements: Serfontein, Alberts, Steyn, Brits Nyakane, du Toit.

USA: Scully, Thompson, Niua, Suniula, Test, Suniula, Kruger, Kilifi, Thiel, Baumann, Stanfill, Trouville, Barrett, Quill, Manoa. Replacements: Wyles, Dolan, Taufetee.