Barbarians 48 USA 17 South Africa returned to the World Rugby Classic with a thunderous bang yesterday, much to the chagrin of a hapless Bermuda side that was forced to play second fiddle from the outset, falling behind early and never recovering.

The result set up an intriguing contest for Thursday when the South Africans tangle with last year's losing finalists Barbarians, who likewise battered their opponents -- United States -- into oblivion, 48-17, on the second day of action at National Sports Club.

Overcast skies greeted South Africa and Bermuda, who entered the pitch amid muted cheers from the packed gallery on the southern side. Yet that was nothing compared to the doom and gloom which would follow for the local squad who were simply out-manned by a stronger, faster and more skillful South African unit.

No more than two minutes had elapsed when the visitors opened their account as out-half Michael DuPlessis forced his way over for a try following a scrum on the right.

Centre Avril Williams first appeared set to score, but when stopped he was able to feed DuPlessis to score. Irvin October, though, missed the conversion and South Africa led 5-0.

Not yet recovered from the early strike, Bermuda were further rocked four minutes later as wing Carel DuPlessis swept around the left side, leaving would-be tacklers in his wake and touching the ball over the line. Again the conversion failed and South Africa had a 10-0 advantage.

The first positive impression shown by the home team came in the 11th minute as Tom Dickinson embarked on a 30-yard gallop near the right touch-line, getting to within 10-yards before being forced out.

They would go one better five minutes later as a nifty burst from forward Alan Gorbutt landed him in the left corner, sending local supporters into a frenzy and giving the team confidence.

For the moment Bermuda had weathered the initial storm and while by no means in control, at least were able to hold their own.

But as time wore on such progress was exposed to be merely a charade, as South Africa appeared to catch a second breath and began showing true form.

Bludgeoning in the rucks and mauls, the South Africans showed great fluency in their line-play and passing, moving forward with machine-like precision against a tottering Bermuda defence.

Hennie Bekker, the towering lock from Western Province, used all of the muscle on his six foot, six frame in the 23rd minute to plough his way over after an inch perfect pass from number eight Nick Mallett.

The rout was now officially on, with `the rotund one' Frans Erasmus showing a surprising burst in the 28th minute -- albeit over just five yards -- putting South Africa up 20-5. October's conversion made it 22-5.

The half concluded as flanker Eben Jansen benefited from some neat line exchanges along the left and easily scored, making it 27-5 at the interval.

If Bermuda harboured any hopes of a comeback, these were soon dashed as Yagya Sakier bundled the ball over four minutes following the restart.

Further tries from Erasmus and Williams -- both converted -- made for the final score-line and sent Bermuda scurrying into the consolation bracket where they face Argentina tomorrow under the lights.

"I think we started off rather slowly, the players were starting to find themselves and I think the first unit of defence were very elusive on their feet and were giving us one or two problems because of their elusiveness. But once the players began to find themselves, especially in the forwards the rugby began to improve and it was a lot better,'' said South Africa's manager Cheeky Watson before settling down to scout the Barbarians versus United States encounter.

Bermuda captain Alastair Nicoll later admitted that this was simply a team far beyond Bermuda, with size the overriding factor.

"They were a lot bigger in the forwards, which allowed them to maul the ball, win good ball and then release the backs and when you get guys coming through that are six foot, eight and 300 pounds it makes it very difficult to stop them,'' said Nicoll. "Even if you put in good tackles you need to have two people hitting them because they still keep coming and once they get good ball they just recycled it more and more.'' While the first match stood from the outset as a walkover, the second produced perhaps the most exciting performance of the Classic thus far, with the never-say-die Americans praised for their effort and commitment, alas in vain.

The Eagles matched the heavily favoured Barbarians well in the speed, strength and skill departments, but fell woefully short in tactics which provided for their ultimate demise.

An upset briefly caught the minds when the Americans clad in royal blue jerseys took a shock third minute lead when Jerry McDonald powered his way in for a converted score.

Barbarians, for the moment, appeared a confused bunch and the Eagles took advantage, pinning their opponents inside the half.

The stay at the top though proved brief as the speed of the Barbarians on the outside prevailed over the long haul, with Ireland's Colin Wilkinson and wing Glenn Webbe of Wales in scintillating form.

Webbe raised blood pressure levels in the 20th minute, embarking on a breathtaking 25-yard run, taking a pass from Derek White and breaking three tackles on his way to the try-line, the conversion serving to tie matters.

Paul Turner put Barbarians ahead for good three minutes later, taking advantage of Mark Gale's errant toss, bursting straight up the middle untouched for the score.

Wilkinson got his name on the scoresheet in the 33rd minute to make for a 21-7 score at the half and the misery continued for the Eagles after the break.

More tallies for Barbarians came from Keith Crossan, Wilkinson and a double strike from Webbe in the second half as they lit up the pitch, with the Americans replying through Kevin Swords and the pony-tailed Mike Glass.