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Mon 09 Sep 2007Former champions put down markerPool A/South Africa 59  Samoa 7:As a statement of intent South Africa's opening argument at the World Cup couldn't have been more eloquent. In a hugely combative contest at the Parc des Princes they demonstrated the aptitude, mental and physical to establish their bona fides as genuine contenders to repeat their tournament success of 1995.Despite the disparity on the scoreboard this was anything but a canter for the Springboks, especially in the opening 40 minutes when Samoa caused them serious problems and but for some questionable officiating the Pacific Islanders would have been better placed to sustain their challenge after the interval.