Table set for a veritable rugby feast

In the eyes of many, the “real” World Cup in Japan starts only this weekend when it gets down to the business end of the tournament. South African rugby fans will, of course, be most interested in Sunday’s last-eight clash between the Springboks and hosts Japan at Yokohama Stadium, with the Brave Blossoms having greatly contributed to the success of the tournament following their dream run and first qualification for the World Cup play-offs.

In the pool stages there was plenty of action and the so-called minnows contributed to the excitement, with the likes of Uruguay and Fiji giving the top-tier nations a run for their money.

There were also some top countries who didn’t quite live up to expectations, including the likes of Argentina and Scotland.

The Pumas failed to beat England and France, while Scotland lost to Ireland and Japan, with both teams being eliminated from the playoffs.

And the Scots didn’t do themselves any favours by threatening to take World Rugby to court if their final pool game against Japan didn’t go ahead because of Typhoon Hagibis, though in the end the hosts had the last laugh by running Scotland off the park.

Italy also had their fair share of controversy, claiming their final pool game against the All Blacks wouldn’t have been cancelled if New Zealand had to win the game in order to go top of Pool B.

The cancellation of three pool matches due to the typhoon was the only real cloud hanging over the first World Cup in Asia, which had been a rousing success with big crowds attending every game.

The organisers of the tournament had four years to prepare, however, knowing the threat of a typhoon could be looming at this time of the year, and contingency plans should have been put in place.

It deprived Namibia and Canada from possibly ending the tournament on a high, while the biggest game to be called off between England and France could have determined the winner of Pool C and eventually who contested the play-offs.

In the end France probably got the better deal, playing Wales in the quarterfinals, with England having to face Australia, though the English remained favourites in their last-eight clash.

Among the other quarterfinalists, the Boks won’t mind facing Japan, though the hosts cannot be taken lightly, while New Zealand have a difficult route, facing Ireland and then possibly England in the semifinals.

And the table has been set for a terrific weekend of action.