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.
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.
