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.”
Manchester City have reached do-or-die territory in the UEFA Champions League earlier than expected ahead of what Pep Guardiola has described as a “final” against Club Brugge today. City have disproved the suggestion a new format to Europe’s top club competition would remove any jeopardy for the top clubs as Guardiola stares down the barrel of failing to make the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in his career. The English champions have endured a torrid season both in their English Premier League title defense and on the continent. A run of one win in 13 games, which included Champions League
BACK-TO-BACK: The League One club, which is owned by stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is sparing no expense to clinch promotion to the Championship Hollywood endings are pricey, even in England’s third division. In pursuit of their third straight promotion, Wrexham AFC splashed some cash at League One rival Reading to secure the services of striker Sam Smith. The Welsh club owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney confirmed the signing of the 26-year-old Smith on Friday. He is one of the top scorers in the third division. The transfer fee was not disclosed, but British media widely reported it to be about ￡2 million (US$2.48 million) — not extravagant, but a hefty price at this level and it would be about the same figure that
Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander on Sunday poured in 35 points as the Thunder grabbed a bounce-back 118-108 victory in Portland to push their NBA-best record to 37-8. The Thunder, surprised by the short-handed Dallas Mavericks on Thursday, fended off a late surge from the Trail Blazers to snap their four-game winning streak. Jalen Williams scored 24 points and Isaiah Joe added 16 off the bench. Center Isaiah Hartenstein, back after a five-game absence with a calf injury, added 14 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and a big block. The Western Conference leaders were under pressure late as Portland, trailing by 15 heading
The Golden State Warriors on Wednesday withstood Oklahoma City star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 52-point outburst to beat the Western Conference leading Thunder 116-109. Andrew Wiggins scored 27 points and Warriors superstar Stephen Curry scored 17 of his 21 points in the second half as Golden State erased a double-digit deficit and pulled away late for the victory. “We just stayed solid,” said Curry, who entered the contest mired in a shooting slump and had just four points on one basket in the first half. “Just all-around effort.” The Thunder, fueled by 31 first-half points from Gilgeous-Alexander, led by as many as 14 in the
RSS