2023-10-01 23:08:51
Jesse Kriel scored a try. CHRISTOPHE SIMON / AFP
This Sunday at the Marseille Vélodrome, the Springboks logically beat the Tongans (49-18).
First place (provisional) in Group B, the offensive bonus and a health boost: South Africa won without trembling its last match of the group stage of the World Cup against Tonga (49-18) Sunday in Marseille, and waits to know who she will face in the quarter-final. More diligent with the ball in hand, the Springboks scored seven tries, but also conceded three.
A week after their setback against Ireland (13-8), the Boks quietly returned to victory thanks to a largely overhauled team (only Etzebeth, Kolisi and Wiese retained their place in the starting XV), despite a first contrasting period where Reinach (5th) and Moodie (20th) scored on individual actions. Fourie (32nd) and Kriel (49th) took advantage of the good work of the world champion forwards to increase their lead. Le Roux (58th) punished an opposing defensive error to score in a corner, before substitutes Van Staden (63rd) and Smith (80th) added to the score.
Pollard, satisfactory return
Among the satisfactions of the evening, Handré Pollard produced a great performance thirteen months after his last appearance in the Boks jersey. Author of a 4/4 against the poles, the former Montpellier opener guided the game with calm and mastery. Jacques Nienaber, the South African coach, was probably reassured by his physical condition for the tough matches.
Slightly more worrying, Kolisi’s teammates conceded more points this evening (18, including three tries from Tameifuna (38th), Inisi (53rd) and Pellegrini (73rd)) than during their first three meetings (16).
South Africa has now finished with the group stage, and should probably face France in the quarter-finals, in the event of success for the Tricolores over Italy and Ireland over Scotland.
For Tonga, the quest for a victory against a Tier 1 nation continues, having not won since November 2016 (19-17 against Italy). They will have to raise their heads for their final meeting in this World Cup, against Romania (Sunday October 8, at 5:45 p.m.).
#South #Africa #wins #trembling #Tonga