South Africa 49-18 Tonga: Springboks put one foot in Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with bonus-point win

South Africa earned a bonus-point 49-18 win over Tonga and will now eagerly await Ireland’s match with Scotland on Saturday to discover their fate in the Rugby World Cup.

In reality, the 15 points earned by the Springboks looks to be enough to reach the quarter-finals, but in what position exactly depends on that crucial Pool B encounter.

If the Irish beat Scotland, as expected, then it likely means a meeting with France for South Africa in the last eight – a match-up that could easily be the final had these two pools not been so stacked.

However, an abacus may be required if Scotland do stun the Irish, with all three teams still capable of finishing on 15 points.

Nevertheless, the Springboks have done all they can, bouncing back from the defeat to Ireland by beating a tough Tongan side who enjoyed plenty of possession but trailed 21-8 at half-time.

Tonga would go on to trouble South Africa further after the break, too, and while their tries proved the more popular for the Marseille crowd watching on, crucially South Africa ensured they got the bonus point they were craving.

The man who kicked South Africa to glory in 2019 is back, with Handre Pollard – the mid-tournament call-up as an injury replacement – starting his first match upon his return to Springboks duty.

And after the kicking from Manie Libbok ultimately let them down in the defeat to Ireland, the sight of Pollard sending all four conversions over before coming off could give them a selection headache come the knockouts – assuming they get there.

It’s a good headache, mind, and one that should spur both players on, as seen when Libbok came on and kicked over two tricky conversions.

A statement performance from Andre Esterhuizen, one of 12 changes made from the defeat to Ireland. This will do his chances of starting further matches no harm, with the Harlequins centre impressing with ball in hand and also when a huge second-half clearout paved the way for a sixth South Africa try.

South Africa: Nche 6, Fourie 7, Koch 6; Etzebeth 7, Orie 6; Kolisi (c) 7, Vermeulen 6, Wiese 8; Reinach 8, Pollard 8; Mapimpi 6, Esterhuizen 8, Moodie 8, Williams 7, Le Roux 8. Replacements: Van Staden 7, Kitshoff 6, Nyakane 6, Mostert 6, Smith 7; Hendrikse 6, Libbok 7, Kriel 7.

Tonga: Fisi’ihoi 6, Ngauamo 6, Tameifuna (c) 7; Fifita 7, Lousi 6; Halaifonua 6, Talitui 6, Paea 6; Pulu 7, Havili 6; Tuitavuki 6, Ahki 7, Fekitoa 6, Inisi 7; Piutau 7. Replacements: Moli 6, Koloamatangi 6, Apikotoa 6, Coleman 6, Vailanu 6; Takulua 6, Pellegrini 7, Taumoepeau 6.

6’ TRY SOUTH AFRICA! REINACH A quickly-taken penalty and that’s well played by Cobus Reinach, who taps the ball then goes over himself. Pollard kicks the extra two.

22’ TRY SOUTH AFRICA! MOODIE No knock-on and this try is going to stand, with the ball flying off Koch’s shoulder when passed his way and eventually picked up by Moodie, who takes advantage of Tonga’s defence switching off to go over for South Africa’s second. Pollard adds the extra two.

33’ TRY SOUTH AFRICA! FOURIE Esterhuizen loses the ball but it comes back for a penalty. From the line-out, a mega maul does the trick and Fourie, the man moonlighting as a hooker tonight, gets the try under a heap of bodies. Another two from Pollard.

39’ TRY TONGA! TAMEIFUNA The Marseille crowd enjoyed that one. After a long line-out the forwards push and they push, searching for the smallest of gaps to get over the line, and it’s captain Ben Tameifuna who does exactly that to give Tonga the try their first half deserves. Havili goes wide with the conversion.

51’ TRY SOUTH AFRICA! KRIEL That is almost certainly the bonus-point win secured. From left to right, South Africa stretch Tonga and it’s substitute Jesse Kriel who goes over before Pollard adds another two.

55’ TRY TONGA! INISI A superb try from Tonga, and the patient Fine Inisi bides his time out wide and goes over with the freedom of Marseille around him when eventually receiving the ball. Havili can’t add another two, though.

60’ TRY SOUTH AFRICA! LE ROUX One mistake from Tonga, and they pay the price. A fumble is seized upon and it’s lightning fast out wide to Willie le Roux for his second try of this tournament. Pressure on Libbok to kick this after Pollard is four for four. And he does it – fair play.

65’ TRY SOUTH AFRICA! VAN STADEN South Africa cruising now and Tonga just can’t stop this fast break. Esterhuizen’s clearout paved the way for this try, and it’s Marco van Staden who goes over. Libbok gets another two.

75’ TRY TONGA! PELLEGRINI Coventry’s Patrick Pellegrini scores for Tonga! Libbok is done by the bounce and it’s Pellegrini who picks it up from his own kick and gets away from Van Staden. What a moment.

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