The penultimate matchweek of the 2023 Rugby World Cup pool stage wraps up tonight with a meeting between the Springboks and the Sea Eagles in Marseille. South Africa can book their place in the quarter-finals by notching a bonus-point win here, while Tonga need the same to keep their faint hopes alive.
Defeat to Ireland last week means defending champions South Africa are, realistically, fighting for second place in Pool B unless results go their way by Scotland causing an upset next weekend. The Boks have the final round of matches off, making this their last chance to generate some momentum ahead of the knockouts.
Tonga were comfortably beaten by both the Irish and Scots to open their World Cup in a group of death that at least ends in a week’s time with a clash against minnows Romania. Follow South Africa vs Tonga LIVE via Standard Sport ’s matchday blog!
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Tonga not yet living up to expectations
Ranked 15th in the world, few expected Tonga to progress from the pool stages of the Rugby World Cup and so it may prove.
Coach Toutai Kefu spoke highly of his players before the tournament, describing them as “probably the best ever” Tonga squad.
Yet, despite putting points on the board in both games, they’ve lost to Scotland and Ireland quite convincingly so far.
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South Africa want the job done tonight
A nervy final weekend on the sofa is not South Africa’s idea of a good time.
Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick spoke in the week of the Boks’ determination to win with a bonus point today and make a knockout berth their own without any favours.
“We can’t talk about the playoffs, because if we don’t win, there are no play-offs,” Stick said. “And we don’t want to rely on other teams’ results.”
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The atmosphere is building nicely
Hopefully as many of the 67,000 seats are filled as possible at the Stade Velodrome with the locals and neutrals perhaps favouring Tonga for an upset.
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Men in the middle
Luke Pearce will referee this match along with fellow English officials Matthew Carley and Christophe Ridley. Australia’s Brett Cronan is on TMO duty.
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South Africa vs Tonga: Countdown to kick-off
With the Aussies doing what they had to do, full focus is now on Marseille where South Africa and Tonga kick off in just an hour’s time!
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Full time in the other Rugby World Cup match
It’s a fairly nervy 34-14 win for Australia over Portugal in Saint-Etienne. The Wallabies still stare elimination in the face, which will come if Fiji win next weekend.
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A special day for Siya Kolisi
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Head-to-head record
The two teams have only met twice, in 1997 and 2007, with the Boks victorious on both occasions.
South Africa wins: 2
Tonga wins: 0
Draws: 0
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Elsewhere at the Rugby World Cup
Australia are currently in the closing stages of sealing a win over Portugal in Pool C, although they’ve made hard work of it…
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Today’s venue: The Stade Velodrome
