World Sport Briefs Springboks beat Samoa

PARIS – Bryan Habana scored four of the Springboks’ eight tries to help his team record an emphatic 59-7 victory over Samoa in their Rugby World Cup opening fixture in Paris on Saturday.

Laporte was wrong: Pelous MARCOUSSIS – All the French squad of 22 failed to perform in the shock 17-12 defeat by Argentina in their World Cup opener claimed veteran lock Fabien Pelous on Saturday and not just a few as coach Bernard Laporte claimed. The 114-times capped former France skipper ended the match being replaced on the hour mark like captain Raphael Ibanez but he insisted that France should stick to their guns and play their game.However he refused to accept only certain players should take the blame for what could prove to be a crippling defeat – their fifth in the last six meetings with the Pumas – as the French have yet to meet Six Nations Triple Crown winners Ireland, even though they have beaten the Irish on the last five occasions.Great goals edge Ghana closer to Olympics POTCHEFSTROOM- Ghana struck three superb goals to defeat South Africa 3-1 Saturday and close on a place at the 2008 Beijing Olympics football tournament.United Arab Emirates-based striker Prince Tagoe scored with his right and left foot inside eight minutes during the first half to give the visitors a two-goal half-time advantage at Olen Park in this north-west town.And Obed Ansah added a third goal five minutes from full-time before Lance Davids reduced arrears for South Africa, held at home by Nigeria in their previous Group A outing and all but mathematically out of contention.Ghana entertain South Africa in October.Johnson takes third gold STUTTGART – Shawn Johnson of the United States won her third gold of the world gymnastics championships yesterday when she added the floor title to the team and all-around titles.Despite a penalty for stepping out-of-bounds the 15-year-old scored 15.250 to take the gold medal ahead of US teammate Alicia Sacramone, the 2005 winner, who achieved 15.225 after stumbling during her routine.Nampa-ReutersThe 114-times capped former France skipper ended the match being replaced on the hour mark like captain Raphael Ibanez but he insisted that France should stick to their guns and play their game.However he refused to accept only certain players should take the blame for what could prove to be a crippling defeat – their fifth in the last six meetings with the Pumas – as the French have yet to meet Six Nations Triple Crown winners Ireland, even though they have beaten the Irish on the last five occasions.Great goals edge Ghana closer to Olympics POTCHEFSTROOM- Ghana struck three superb goals to defeat South Africa 3-1 Saturday and close on a place at the 2008 Beijing Olympics football tournament.United Arab Emirates-based striker Prince Tagoe scored with his right and left foot inside eight minutes during the first half to give the visitors a two-goal half-time advantage at Olen Park in this north-west town.And Obed Ansah added a third goal five minutes from full-time before Lance Davids reduced arrears for South Africa, held at home by Nigeria in their previous Group A outing and all but mathematically out of contention.Ghana entertain South Africa in October.Johnson takes third gold STUTTGART – Shawn Johnson of the United States won her third gold of the world gymnastics championships yesterday when she added the floor title to the team and all-around titles.Despite a penalty for stepping out-of-bounds the 15-year-old scored 15.250 to take the gold medal ahead of US teammate Alicia Sacramone, the 2005 winner, who achieved 15.225 after stumbling during her routine.Nampa-Reuters