South Africa did all they could in their final Rugby World Cup pool game after they saw off Tonga 49-18 in a bonus-point win at Stade de Marseille on Sunday.
The maximum haul puts the Springboks on 15 points at the end of their pool campaign, with rivals Ireland (14) and Scotland (10) set to face off next weekend to determine who finishes first, second and third in the toughest group of this year's tournament.
Cobus Reinach, Canan Moodie, Deon Fourie, Jesse Kriel, Willie Le Roux, Marco van Staden and Kwagga Smith claimed South Africa's tries on the night.
It was also a welcome return to international rugby for Handre Pollard, who was 100% off the tee before being replaced by Manie Libbok on 51 minutes.
Ben Tameifuna, Fine Inisi and Patrick Pellegrini were Tonga's try scorers in an impressive performance ahead of their Pool B finale against Romania.
Ireland could have been sure of a quarter-final place before their final pool match against Scotland had the Springboks failed to beat Tonga, who had lost both previous games.
Andy Farrell's men, though, can guarantee top spot if they avoid defeat by Scotland, whose own qualification hopes are slim.
Tonga got the first points on the board at the Stade Velodrome through an early penalty from William Havili.
But South Africa were soon in front when scrum-half Reinach tapped up a quick penalty before sprinting over in the corner.
The Springboks further extended their lead in the 20th minute when the ball bounced off Vincent Koch's shoulder and straight to Moodie, who darted under the posts.
Makazole Mapimpi went off for a head-injury assessment after being caught by Augustine Pulu as they ducked into a tackle. English referee Luke Pearce and the TMO agreed it was not a yellow-card offense by the Tongan, who was down on his knees at point of contact.
South Africa, edged out 13-8 by Ireland at the Stade de France, scored again through Fourie on the half-hour mark following a driving maul from a lineout before Tonga had a try on the board when captain Tameifuna powered over to reduce the deficit to 21-8 at half-time.
The Springboks secured a bonus-point try early in the second half when replacement Kriel pushed over and the TMO then ruled against a yellow card to Eben Etzebeth for a collision with Tonga full-back Salesi Piutau.
A masterclass in Marseille
Congratulations to @Springboks' Deon Fourie on being named the @Mastercard #POTM #RWC2023 | #RSAvTGA | #Priceless pic.twitter.com/7ZgP6tAR8q
― Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 1, 2023
Tonga responded again as winger Inisi touched down in the corner, only for Le Roux to go over down the left and South Africa replacement Van Staden added another try following a well-worked swift counter.
Coventry fly-half Pellegrini produced a memorable moment as he chased down his own kick to score under the posts before Smith dived over for South Africa's seventh try in added time.
The teams
South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Grant Williams, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Jesse Kriel, 23 Manie Libbok
Tonga: 15 Salesi Piutau, 14 Fine Inisi, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Anzelo Tuitavuki, 10 William Havili, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Semisi Paea, 7 Sione Talitui, 6 Tanginoa Halaifonua, 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Halaleva Fifita, 3 Ben Tameifuna (c), 2 Paula Ngauamo, 1 Siegfried Fisi'ihoi
Replacements: 16 Sam Moli, 17 Tau Koloamatangi, 18 Sosefo Apikotoa, 19 Adam Coleman, 20 Sione Vailanu, 21 Sonatane Takulua, 22 Patrick Pellegrini, 23 Afusipa Taumoepeau
Referee: Luke Pearce (RFU)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (RFU), Christophe Ridley (RFU)
TMO: Brett Cronan (RA)
No comments:
Post a Comment