Vickery made to sweat on World Cup ban

Citing commissioner Steve Hinds will decide today if Vickery is to be put in the dock for his trip on American centre Paul Emerick during the holders' laboured opening victory on Saturday.

Under tournament rules, Hinds, a New Zealand policeman, has until shortly after 6pm to study footage of the incident and make up his mind.

He could order Vickery to go before a three-man disciplinary tribunal, with any consequent suspension eliminating him from his country's most important pool match.

Hinds is one of several independent judicial officers under instructions to follow a hardline policy on violent conduct missed by the match officials, as in this case. Vickery has admitted making contact with Emerick but denied doing so deliberately.

The England captain said: "He stepped inside and it was an instinctive reaction. It was unfortunate but there was no malice on my part."

Tripping carries an automatic ban. France wing Christophe Dominici served a one-match suspension for hacking Jason Robinson down during the semi-final at the last World Cup, but another French player, Serge Betsen, escaped punishment after being cited for a similar incident in a Biarritz v Wasps European Cup tie which left English centre Stuart Abbott with a broken leg.

While England failed to gain a four-try bonus point in a mostly desperate struggle to beat the third-rate Americans, the Springboks overcame a fraught first half yesterday to overwhelm Samoa 59-7 with a show of finishing power that justified their status as second favourites behind the All Blacks.

The contrast in the form of the two countries reinforced South African belief that they will reach the final.

Skipper John Smit underlined his confidence by describing the collision with England as "one of six important games in our build-up towards the final".

Head coach Jake White said: "The fact that we've beaten England three times out of four, and that we have the most-capped Test team in history, gives us a lot of confidence.

"What do I read into England's performance against America? They looked lethargic at times but that was a sign of all the hard work they've been putting in for the game on Friday. 'It's a huge advantage for England that they have an extra day's rest than us, especially after a match as physical as the Samoan one.

"But I guess, as world champions, you must get something in your favour."