South Africa's J.P. Pietersen (centre) is tackled by England's Mike Catt (10) and Jason Robinson (top) during the Rugby World Cup Group A match yesterday at the Stade de France in Saint Denis, outside Paris. - AP

SAINT-DENIS, France (AP):

WINGER J.P. Pietersen scored two tries as South Africa underscored their World Cup potential by shutting out defending world champions England 36-0 in their Group A game yesterday.

To compound England's misery, fullback Jason Robinson limped off in the 57th minute with what looked like a serious hamstring injury and Jamie Noon was stretchered off just before full time.

Brian Ashton's team already has been plagued by injuries, with star flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson and his replacement Olly Barkley both sidelined for the match.

Pietersen set up the first Springbok try in the sixth minute with a powerful run down the right flank. He passed to scrumhalf Fourie de Preez who was tackled inside England's 22 but managed to flick the ball up to flanker Juan Smith who ran in unopposed.

Pietersen scored his first try in the 38th minute after de Preez picked up a loose ball and broke through the English line before finding him with a perfectly-timed pass.

He got his second after de Preez sucked in the English defence on the right and passed for the winger to cross the line.

Percy Montgomery celebrated matching Joost van der Westh-uizen's record 89 caps for the Springboks by kicking 18 points.

It was the first shutout of the sixth World Cup and England's heaviest loss in the history of the competition.