South Africa dominates Tonga and takes a big step towards the quarter-finals

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The Springboks moved significantly closer to the elimination phase by securing a masterful victory against Tonga on Sunday (49-18).

France Télévisions – Sports Editorial

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South African Andre Esterhuizen against Tonga in the World Cup, October 1, 2023. (ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT / AFP)

The Springboks did not miss each other. Beaten by Ireland on Saturday September 23 (8-13), South Africa needed to regain positive momentum to take a big step towards the quarter-finals of the World Cup. Against Tonga, Sunday October 1 at the Stade Vélodrome in Marseille, the teammates of scorer Handré Pollard, back to provide more stability against the poles, provided the essentials (49-18), and especially the offensive bonus point, so valuable in this very tight group B, in order to get closer to qualifying for the quarter-finals.

Because after a precious victory against Scotland (18-3) and the big success against Romania (76-0), the reigning world champions fell against the XV of Clover. With all their group matches played, they are provisionally first in the group with 15 points, but will have to wait for the result of Ireland-Scotland in the last match to know if they are qualified. And therefore perhaps find France in the quarter-finals.

For their part, Tonga leaves the World Cup without a victory, but they finished their campaign well, scoring three tries against the reigning world champions, after two defeats against Ireland (59-16) and against Scotland (45 -17).


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