South Africa’s World Cup title defence is back on track after a seven-try, bonus-point victory over Tonga who gave as good as they got, scoring three tries of their own.

The five points collected just about guarantees the Springboks’ passage to the quarter-finals. Barring an upset in the match involving Scotland and Ireland next week, Siya Kolisi’s men will meet France in Paris in a fortnight.

Defending champions South Africa beat a hard-hitting Tonga 49-18 in Marseille on Sunday to bag a crucial bonus-point victory that leaves them atop Pool B and with one foot in the World Cup quarter-finals.

The Springboks now have 15 points from their four matches, but the pool winners and runners-up who advance to the quarter-finals will only be decided when Ireland -- who beat the Boks 13-8 last week, take on Scotland in Paris on Saturday.

After that defeat by the Irish, the Springboks knew they had to win against Tonga, with a bonus point, and preferably by a large score to improve their points differential.

A victory it proved to be, the Springboks  crossing for seven tries but the Tongan side stayed competitive throughout and went over for three of their own.