What Boks need to do against Tonga to secure World Cup quarters spot

Despite a disappointing loss in their Rugby World Cup pool match against Ireland last weekend the Springboks will be targeting securing their place in the competition quarterfinals when they take on Tonga in their final pool game at the Stade de Marseille on Sunday.

The good thing about the Boks playing in the last match of the weekend is that they will know exactly what they need to do to make it through to the knockout stage.

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While Ireland have a bye this weekend and Scotland play Romania on Saturday evening, the composition of the pool will be abundantly clear by the end of the weekend.

With the Boks having their bye next weekend, close rivals Ireland and Scotland will front up against each other in their final pool match to decide who will go through.

Bonus point win

However, a big bonus point win for the Boks this weekend should all but secure their place in the quarterfinals as it would put them on 15 points and possibly out of reach of the chasing pack.

If Ireland, the Boks and Scotland all finish the pool stage on equal points, points difference becomes the deciding factor of who progresses, however if Ireland finish top of the pool and the Boks and Scotland are even on points, head-to-head will be the decider.

So, if the Boks can clinch a win by 37 points or more over Tonga they will confirm their place in the next round ahead of the final weekend of pool matches.

That is an entirely possible victory margin for the Boks, despite SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus and Bok coach Jacques Nienaber insisting that Tonga are a dangerous team that they have to be wary of.

Tonga struggles

Despite being reinforced by a number of former All Black and Wallaby stars due to the recent change of World Rugby’s eligibility rules, Tonga have struggled so far and shouldn’t pose much of a threat to the Boks.

They have lost their opening two matches by big margins, going down to Ireland 59-16, while Scotland thumped them 45-17 this past Sunday.

The Boks are also likely to name a strong line-up for the game with not too many changes, as they should want to keep their frontliners warm as they have a bye weekend before the quarterfinals.

Players who didn’t feature against Ireland that may come into the team to play Tonga are Handre Pollard, Duane Vermeulen, Vincent Koch, Grant Williams, Canan Moodie and Willie le Roux.

The Bok management have shown a willingness to make wholesale changes to their side this season, but with Tonga being an important match they shouldn’t make too many changes.

Possible Bok starting XV v Tonga (1-15): Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Trevor Nyakane, Eben Etzebeth, RG Snyman, Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Grant Williams, Handre Pollard, Cheslin Kolbe, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Canan Moodie, Willie le Roux