Boks look ahead to World Cup last 8
● The Springboks go into their last pool game at this Rugby World Cup with the express aim of restoring the confidence that helped carry them to the title four years ago.
Even after their opening weekend defeat in Japan, the Boks went about their business in self-assured fashion, winning six games in a row en route to the title.
Sure, they need to beat Tonga in today’s clash to secure safe passage to the quarterfinals but they also need to deliver a performance of fist thumping authority to cast aside doubts that may exist within.
Defeat against Ireland last weekend would have disturbed the defending champions’ core but the clash against Tonga provides them the opportunity to again serve notice of their credentials in this year’s tournament.
There are of course elements of their game that need fixing after last weekend’s defeat. They were beaten to the punch at the breakdown, and their attack failed to apply the finishing touches, while their goal kicking was off the mark.
Last week they secured sufficient ball and enjoyed enough favourable territory to win the game but failure to advance the scoreboard from those positions of promise came back to bite them.
They need to display a ruthless streak against Tonga and put them to the sword perhaps in the way New Zealand cut Italy to shreds in their pool match on Friday evening.
Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick, however, was measured in talking up the Boks’ prospects. “The main thing is to win the game, otherwise we can’t talk about the play-offs,” reminded Stick.
“We will assess in the game. If things go well for us we will probably go for a bonus point.”
Earlier in the week, however, fullback Willie le Roux had no qualms laying bare what the Boks need to do against Tonga. Bonus point or bust was pretty much the gist of his message. The most significant alteration to the Bok team sees Handre Pollard return to flyhalf. His goal kicking will invite much scrutiny but what he brings to the Bok attack will be of equal significance. Manie Libbok’s ability to find space for teammates, whether by hand or foot, has added a fresh dimension to the Bok attack. Libbok will be among the substitutes. “Having Handre back is massive for our squad,” acknowledged Stick. “Having Pollard is a good boost for us. Handre has done the job for us in the past,” he said of Pollard’s heroics off the kicking tee in the semifinal and final in 2019.
That, however, represented a turnaround as Pollard, like Libbok in this campaign, did not entirely convince off the tee at the start of the tournament. “We learnt last week when you play a top team you need to capitalise on your opportunities,” said Stick about the bigger picture.
Stick is advocating a methodical approach against Tonga.
The argument goes they need to earn the right to play with width. “This could be our last game if we don’t win. So it is serious. We have an eight-day turnaround, so coaching staff could go deep into Tonga,” he explained of the team’s preparation.
Tonga showed encouraging flashes against Ireland before they were overwhelmed 59-16 in Nantes. The Boks will need to wear them down with similar shock and awe tactics. “They have big forwards. Probably one of the strongest scrums in the competition and backs with X-factor,” Stick said, reaching for an oft used phrase to describe Tonga.
He pointed to Malakai Fekitoa and Salesi Piutau as players with experience and X-factor. “If you are not switched on, it is going to be a difficult game. We have to capitalise on our opportunities. We have to convert.”
Tonga have had to make an alteration to their squad with No 8 Semisi Paea entering the fray in the position vacated by Vaea Fifita, who copped a four-game suspension. The starting team shows three changes to the one beaten by Scotland.
Teams:
South Africa — Willie le Roux; Grant Williams, Canan Moodie, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi; Handré Pollard, Cobus Reinach; Ox Nche, Deon Fourie, Vincent Koch; Eben Etzebeth, Marvin Orie; Siya Kolisi (captain), Duane Vermeulen, Jasper Wiese.
Substitutes: Marco van Staden, Steven Kitshoff, Trevor Nyakane, Franco
Mostert, Kwagga Smith, Jaden
Hendrikse, Manie Libbok, Jesse Kriel. Tonga Salesi Piutau; Fine Inisi, Malakai — Fekitoa, Pita Ahki, Anzelo Tuitavuki; William Havili, Augustine Pulu; Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, Paula Ngauamo, Ben Tameifuna (captain); Halaleva Fifita, Sam Lousi; Tanginoa Halaifonua, Sione Talitui, Semisi Paea.
Substitutes: Sam Moli, Tau Koloamatangi, Sosefo Apikotoa, Adam Coleman, Sione Vailanu, Sonatane Takulua, Patrick Pellegrini, Afusipa Taumoepeau
Kick-off: 9pm
Referee: Luke Pearce
Assistant referees: Matthew Carley, Christophe Ridley
TMO: Bret Cronan