After their defeat to Ireland last Saturday, the Springboks’ standing in pool B at the World Cup is suddenly looking a little less safe, however securing a losing bonus point could prove to be a crucial factor in the final calculation.
The Springboks are now in second place in the group with 10 points, followed by Ireland with 14 points, and Scotland in third with 5 points following a bonus-point victory over Tonga. The Boks and Ireland only have one remaining match, while the Scots still have two games to play.
The Springboks must defeat Tonga with a bonus point on Sunday in order to avoid having to rely on what happens to Scotland. That would bring their total to 15 log points, which is also the most points the Scots may still earn.
It’s also important to keep in mind that Ireland would be anticipated to defeat Scotland in their last group match, but weirder things have happened.
SPRINGBOKS MUST SIMPLY TARGET A BONUS POINT WIN OVER TONGA
Importantly, the Springboks will advance if South Africa and Scotland tie on log points because they defeated Scotland in their head-to-head matchup in the first round.
Out of all the conceivable outcomes, the Springboks are most likely to go to the round of eight as Pool B runners-up, in which case they will play France at home in the quarterfinal, while Ireland, who won their pool, will play the All Blacks.
REMAINING POOL B FIXTURES
Sun 24 Sept – Scotland v Tonga (5.45pm, Stade de Nice, Nice)
Sat 30 Sept – Scotland v Romania (9pm, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)
Sun 1 Oct – South Africa v Tonga (9pm, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille)
Sat 7 Oct – Ireland v Scotland (9pm, Stade de France, Paris)
Sun 8 Oct – Tonga v Romania (5.45pm, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)
