Canada is 0-2 in pool play at the Rugby World Cup after dropping a 23-18 decision to Italy on Saturday.

The Canadians, who burst out to a 10-0 lead early, couldn't hold on to secure their first victory at the tournament. Instead, Italy made some history, completing the biggest comeback in a Cup match since the 2007 quarter-finals, where France beat New Zealand from 13-0 down.

"We came close," said Canadian winger DTH Van der Merwe. "The game was there for the taking but we made some key decisions that resulted in us not winning, making poor passes and not taking extra rucks."

Italy, which came into the match on a six-game losing streak, had won four straight against Canada since their first Cup match in 2003. The Canadians were just the tonic the European side needed for an overdue confidence boost.

Italy didn't get on top of Canada until right on halftime, when flyhalf Tommaso Allan kicked his second penalty.

Canada regained the lead three minutes into the new half and dominated the third quarter but couldn't finish chances. Canada closed to within two with nine minutes to go, but the Italians used their superior scrum to finish an enthralling match stronger.

The teams scored two tries each, and the excitement was heightened by shoddy tackling.

Van der Merwe brought the match to life when he started and finished a brilliant try from deep in his own 22. He beat his marker on the sideline, and tore into Italy's half. Center Ciaran Hearn was in support, and offloaded back to Van Der Merwe, who ran between two Italians who collided, and round behind the posts.

"It was maybe one of the most special ones, doing it here on the world stage," Van der Merwe said of the try. "I listen to the World in Union song before each game and it brings a tear to my eye."

Van der Merwe has scored in three successive games: Twice in the warm-up against Fiji, and one in the tournament-opening loss to Ireland.

Canada's celebrations were brief, however, because Italy hit straight back from the restart.

Scrumhalf Edoardo Gori broke from a ruck inside his half, and kept going until just short of the tryline, when he passed off the ground to loosehead prop Michele Rizzo who, with a Canadian round his ankles, stretched out to score.

That opened the eyes of the Italians, who surged on attack, and could have had two more tries.

But Allan was blocked by returning Canada captain Tyler Ardron, and while Allan was off temporarily, his replacement Carlo Canna was pushed out in the left corner by fullback Matt Evans. Allan came back to kick the Italians into a 13-10 lead at the break.

South Africa routs Samoa

Right-winger JP Pietersen led the way with a hat trick of tries as South Africa bounced back from its humiliating loss to Japan with a commanding 46-6 win over Samoa in Pool B.

The Springboks' 34-32 defeat last weekend was the biggest upset in World Cup history, and led to scathing criticism back home.

The players had a massive point to prove, and weathering some early pressure, they did just that with six tries — five in the second half — to crush a Samoa team that was confident of handling the anticipated backlash.

Pietersen scored with a sharp interception try in the first half, and neat bit of handling early in the second.

Flanker Schalk Burger barged through two tackles for the third try, and Schalk Brits, who replaced him, peeled off the back of the scrum for South Africa's fourth try and a welcome bonus point.

After Pietersen stayed just inside the line to grab his third late on, awarded after a video replay, there was just enough time for Bryan Habana's 60th international try as he showed his destructive pace to collect the ball near the halfway line and streak into the left corner.

Captain Jean de Villiers and fellow veterans Victor Matfield and Burger got rousing ovations from their relieved fans when they came off in the closing stages.

England in danger of elimination

Wales defied an early battering up front and a slew of second-half injuries to rally to a 28-25 win over England, leaving the tournament host in real danger of early elimination.

In a physically brutal match at Twickenham, England built up a 22-12 lead by the 53rd minute through big defence and set-piece domination, before Wales fought back courageously through flawless kicking by Dan Biggar and a try from scrumhalf Gareth Davies.

Wales lost three backs in four minutes but the English had lost its momentum, although it earned a penalty with three minutes left.

A successful kick at goal would have tied the game, but England went for an attacking lineout and Wales snuffed out the danger.