South Africa on Sunday all but sealed a spot in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with a 49-18 victory over Tonga in Marseille, although there is a slim mathematical chance they still might not even make the knockout phase.
The Springboks ran in seven tries to Tonga’s three to nab a crucial bonus point to leave them top of Pool B on 15 points.
The two teams who advance to the quarter-finals will be decided when the world’s No. 1-ranked team, Ireland — who beat the Springboks on Sept. 24 — take on Scotland, ranked fifth, in Paris on Saturday.
Photo: AP
A win for Ireland would see them finish in top spot and South Africa as runners-up. However, should Scotland beat Ireland by a margin of 21 points or more, with both teams scoring four tries to earn an attacking bonus point, that would mean all three teams would finish on 15 points.
That would see Scotland topping the group on points difference ahead of Ireland, in second spot thanks to their better head-to-head record against the Springboks.
“We’ll have to wait,” South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber said. “Our pool gets sorted out on Saturday, so it’s a waiting game.”
The Springboks had just one job to do against Tonga, a bonus-point victory, and tries from Cobus Reinach, Canan Moodie, Deon Fourie, Jessie Kriel, Willie le Roux, Marco van Staden and Kwagga Smith ensured that.
There was also a welcome return for Handre Pollard after a 13-month absence, the flyhalf kicking all four of his conversion attempts.
“It’s brilliant to get 50 minutes into his legs, get exposed to international rugby — it’s a big stepping stone for him and we can build from there,” Nienaber said.
One casualty for South Africa was a suspected fractured cheekbone for winger Makazole Mapimpi.
Tonga coach Toutai Kefu said he was proud of his team’s performance after disappointing opening losses to Ireland (59-16) and Scotland (45-17).
“I would have preferred the result,” Kefu said when asked how pleased he was at seeing the team score three tries against the defending World Cup champions. “The boys had a real dig. One of the main things we stressed before the game was putting on a performance that everyone would be proud of and that was one of them. That is what rugby is all about.”
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