In a thrilling Rugby World Cup clash, the Springboks showcased their dominance with a resounding 49-18 victory over Tonga, led by Coach Jacques Nienaber and Captain Siya Kolisi, as they strive to defend their title in a highly competitive Pool B.
Marseille, France (02 October 2023) – In a pulsating Rugby World Cup encounter, the Springboks left no stone unturned as they stamped their authority with a dominant 49-18 victory over Tonga.
With their eyes firmly set on defending their title, the South African team, led by coach Jacques Nienaber and captain Siya Kolisi, showcased remarkable skill and resilience in their final pool match in Marseille.
South Africa currently sits atop Pool B with 15 points, having played one more match than Ireland (14 points) and Scotland (10 points). The fate of these three formidable teams now hangs in the balance, as only two of them will advance to the quarter-finals. A tantalising showdown awaits as Ireland and Scotland prepare to face each other on Saturday, 7 October.
Coach Nienaber expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, highlighting the significance of securing a bonus point early in the second half. He praised their relentless pursuit of points and their unwavering commitment to victory.
“As things stand now, one of South Africa, Ireland, and Scotland will miss out on the quarter-final, but all three can still make it. The pool will only be decided on Saturday,” Nienaber remarked.
In a match that saw seven tries scored, Nienaber commended his team’s defensive prowess, a testament to their unyielding determination. “From a defensive point of view, I’m proud,” he added. “The team showed great attitude on defence against a Tongan team that got better as the tournament progressed, and I feel the guys put in a great shift in their physicality on defence.”
Captain Siya Kolisi, earning his 50th cap as the Springbok leader, focused on the sheer physicality of the encounter. “The only thing I was thinking about was the physicality of the match,” Kolisi stated. “They were tough. We knew they would run hard at us, and they never stopped. I applaud the boys for sticking to the plan. We got the bonus point, and we accumulated as many points as we could.”
However, amidst the celebration of their triumph, there was a sombre note regarding the injury to wing Makazole Mapimpi. Nienaber revealed that Mapimpi had sustained a fractured cheekbone and would undergo scans to assess the extent of the injury.
With a week-long break before learning their fate in the competition, Nienaber drew parallels to the team’s successful 2019 campaign, where they similarly had an extended break after the pool stages. This time off will be used wisely, with players given time to recharge mentally before focusing on improving their game for the challenges ahead.
As the rugby world eagerly anticipates the outcome of the France and New Zealand pool matches on Friday and their own pool on Saturday, one thing is clear – the Springboks are determined to defend their title and are leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of World Cup glory. Their remarkable display against Tonga is a testament to their skill, resilience, and unwavering commitment to rugby excellence.
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