The Springboks’ position in pool B at the World Cup is suddenly looking a little less secure after their loss to Ireland this past Saturday, although securing a losing bonus point could prove to be a huge factor in the final reckoning.
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Ireland are now top of the group with 14 points, the Springboks are second on 10, while Scotland are third on five log points after a bonus-point win over Tonga. However, the Scots still have two games to play, while the Boks and Ireland have just one left.
The only way the Springboks can avoid having to rely on what happens to Scotland, is if they beat Tonga with a bonus point next Sunday. That would take their tally to 15 log points, which is also the maximum points still available to the Scots.
It’s also worth bearing in mind that Ireland would be expected to beat Scotland in their final pool game in a result that would certainly help the Bok cause, but stranger things have happened.
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Springboks must simply target a bonus point win over Tonga
Importantly, if South Africa and Scotland finish level on the log points, the Springboks will advance because they beat Scotland in the their head-to-head clash in the opening round.
Should the Springboks progress to the last eight as Pool B runners-up, which is most likely to happen out of all the possible scenarios, they will face hosts France in the quarter-final, while the pool winners Ireland will square off against the All Blacks.
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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)
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Sat 7 Oct – Ireland v Scotland (9pm, Stade de France, Paris)
Sun 8 Oct – Tonga v Romania (5.45pm, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille)
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