NEWCASTLE, England -- It seems the loss to Japan was just a blip for the Springboks, after all.

South Africa continued its recovery from the most stunning result in Rugby World Cup history by beating Scotland 34-16 on Saturday, backing up its 40-point win over Samoa last week to go top of Pool B. Qualification in first place looks likely now for the two-time champions, who play the United States in their last pool match on Wednesday.

The big Springbok forwards dominated up front at St. James' Park to set up first-half tries for flanker Schalk Burger and J.P. Pietersen, and a late third for winger Bryan Habana -- his 61st in tests.

Flyhalf Handre Pollard booted 19 points, missing just one of his seven kicks at goal.

Scotland dropped to second place in the group and may need to beat Samoa next weekend to advance.

The Scots spent much of the build-up to the game fending off accusations that they had picked a weakened team to save some of their top players for a more winnable match against Samoa.

But there was vast difference between the teams in terms of physicality, with the Springboks forwards overshadowing their counterparts.

Sensing that, there was no frills to South Africa's play. Kicking for territory and using the pack to batter holes in the Scotland defence were tactics that created the tries.

"We've gone back to basic rugby -- keep it tight, keep it physical," South Africa lock Lood de Jager said.

Burger barged over from close range in the 13th minute, eventually grounding the ball after being held up over the line by two pairs of Scottish arms. And Pietersen found himself in plenty of space to collect captain Fourie du Preez' short pass and make an almost unchallenged 5-meter run to the line in the 38th after a rolling maul from a lineout scattered Scotland's defensive structure.

In between the converted tries, Pollard kicked two penalties to help forge a 20-3 lead at halftime. Pietersen's try came while prop Jannie du Plessis was in the sin-bin for not tackling with his arms.

Scotland threatened a comeback when a penalty from captain Greig Laidlaw was quickly followed by the 49th-minute try from winger Tommy Seymour, from an almost length-of-the-field counterattack sparked by Duncan Weir's interception of Pollard's pass. Weir was caught inside the Springboks' 22 but got his pass away to Tim Visser, who found Seymour on his shoulder.

South Africa responded with a dropped goal and long-range penalty from Pollard while Laidlaw was in the sin bin, and then added another penalty for 29-16.

Habana completed the win, running onto Du Preez's pass and forcing his way over in the left corner.