FULL TIME: South Africa 49-18 Tonga
Well, that was a lot of fun. Tonga made life difficult for the Springboks, who are virtually assured of a spot in the quarter-finals, but will have to wait for the outcome of Ireland versus Scotland next week to discover exactly where they’ll end up.
A solid and clinical display from the World Cup holders despite a few changes to the lineup. The headline was Handré Pollard’s triumphant return from injury, with the fly-half knocking over eight points and completing 50 minutes unscathed. A third defeat in three for Tonga, who will hope to end their campaign with a win over Romania next weekend.
Key events
With that, I leave you with the match report from Marseille and an even better explanation of the permutations. For all South Africa’s excellence and Tonga’s spirit this evening, it’s that p-word that will dominate the headlines and discussions for the next week!
Some of the permutations are better explained in this article. My head is hurting trying to work everything out.
Jonathan Leiper emails in to ask the key question:
So where does that leave us with the quarters from this group? What are the permutations?
Well, South Africa are now top by a single point (15, to Ireland’s 14). Ireland will go through as group winners if they beat Scotland. The Scots (currently on 10 points) need to win with a bonus point and by a 13-point margin against Ireland. That would see them go top on points difference, with Ireland qualifying if they two bonus points.
I think.
A nice moment after the game as players from both sides kneel down and wrap their arms around each other in a huge circle – a trademark display of rugby sportmanship.
Seven tries for South Africa, three for Tonga, with this Patrick Pellegrini effort arguably the most eye-catching and enjoyable of the night – particularly for the neutrals.
FULL TIME: South Africa 49-18 Tonga
Well, that was a lot of fun. Tonga made life difficult for the Springboks, who are virtually assured of a spot in the quarter-finals, but will have to wait for the outcome of Ireland versus Scotland next week to discover exactly where they’ll end up.
A solid and clinical display from the World Cup holders despite a few changes to the lineup. The headline was Handré Pollard’s triumphant return from injury, with the fly-half knocking over eight points and completing 50 minutes unscathed. A third defeat in three for Tonga, who will hope to end their campaign with a win over Romania next weekend.
TRY! South Africa 49-18 Tonga (Kwagga Smith)
South Africa search for a magnificent seventh, and an extra boost to the points advantage just in case, and Esterhuizen is the man still steaming through after 80 minutes of bruising action. Tonga are desperate not to concede again … but their defence is all in vain. Kwagga Smith touches down underneath the posts. Some gloss on the scoreline. Libbok nudges over two more.
77 mins. Boos greet Luke Pearce’s whistle, which ends another Tongan attacking phase. That might be the end of their resistance tonight. South Africa would love another morale-boosting score before we close proceedings, I’m sure of that.
75 mins. It’s actually Tonga who look the more likely to score again in this contest, fantastic character being shown! For context, Ireland beat Tonga 59-16 and Scotland got a 45-17 win against them.
TRY! South Africa 42-18 Tonga (Patrick Pellegrini)
Out of nothing, Tonga have their third try of the evening! Patrick Pellegrini wins the race to collect his own kick after a slightly benefical bounce. What a magnificent moment, a really great try.
Pellegrini does what Havili was doing, and misses the conversion. That’s three of those missed for Tonga tonight. They could have 24 points.
71 mins. Esterhuizen was harshly penalised for not releasing there … not sure there was ever a ruck given he was barely tackled. He offloaded nicely to Kwagga Smith who would have scored if the whistle hadn’t gone.
68 mins. Danger averted for South Africa, whose defence has largely stood up to the challenge tonight. Every team feels the force of facing Tonga, but the superior quality and experience of the Springboks has shown tonight.
67 mins. Six tries now, all of them converted, four by Pollard and two by Libbok. It’s turning into exhibition stuff from the reigning world champions now, but a great territory-finding kick from Havili stops the bleeding for now. The French crowd want another Tonga score and this is a decent chance of it.
TRY! South Africa 42-13 Tonga (Marco van Staden)
Kriel smashes through the challenges down the middle and La Roux’s quick hands help it wide, with the big ball carrier Van Staden crashing over the line. Almost too easy.
Another successful conversion from Libbok.
62 mins. Lock Franco Mostert is among the replacements on for South Africa just after the hour mark. More power and height on the field for the Boks.
60 mins. You rather suspect these final 20 minutes could be quite punishing for Toutai Kefu’s tiring side, unless they can find some energy from somewhere. South Africa look hungry for points.
A positive right now: a penalty. Kicked into the corner by Havili.
TRY! South Africa 35-13 Tonga (Willie La Roux)
Oh, that’s a costly handling error in the Tongan ranks. South Africa are ruthless, spinning it wide and the pace of La Roux does the rest. Moodie timed his pass perfectly to the full-back, who was always going to cross.
It’s Libbok’s turn to try and kick the extras … he takes his time and does exactly that! There’s a point proven.
57 mins. Unfortunately for Tonga, there’s little respite, with South Africa seemingly injected with new energy thanks to the fresh legs off the bench, as one of those players – Manie Libbok – sending it into the corner.
A huge ovation for Ben Tameifuna as he goes off. The Tonga captain has been exceptional tonight, a real force of nature at tighthead.
TRY! South Africa 28-13 Tonga (Fine Inisi)
A brilliant Tonga try! Patient stuff as they hem in the Springboks’ defence under the posts, and work it intelligently out to the right flank to the onrushing Inisi, who finishes well. That’s pretty much the best we’ve seen from Tonga at this tournament, albeit Havili doesn’t add the extras.
52 mins. I thought Eben Etzebeth was in trouble for a moment there. The crowd are certainly unhappy that he wasn’t sent to the sin bin for taking out Salesi Piutau in the air. The TMO told Luke Pearce to award a penalty and nothing more.
51 mins. That’s the end of Pollard’s evening. And it’s job done as far as he’s concerned, building his fitness nicely after a good while on the sidelines. Manie Libbok will take over at fly-half. Former Aussie international Adam Coleman is on from the Tongan bench.
TRY! South Africa 28 -8 Tonga (Jesse Kriel)
Jasper Wiese was inches away as the Springboks rumbled it on and on .. and on. He’s just about held up, Pollard has a go, but the next phase brings a try for replacement Jesse Kriel. Tonga completely undone then.
Pollard continues his perfect kicking record.
“I’ll do the counting, thank you,” Luke Pearce tells a Tongan player as they voice their displeasure over some slow South African ball.
47 mins. Tonga had the put-in in front of their own posts and Reinach was penalised for being a little too keen in closing down … that offside call really lets the pressure off for the Springboks and Tonga can spin it wide from the resulting lineout. with Inisi kicking it deep.
45 mins. The South African front row replacements have started, with Nche and Coch taken off, the former for a HIA, so we’re told.
44 mins. It hasn’t taken South Africa long to start knocking on the door in this half. They’re being met with some resolute Tonga defence, mind, as Esterhuizen is shoved out into touch. That wasn’t quick enough from the Boks … it was telegraphed.
42 mins. Some nice hands from Tonga to work it wide, but Inisi’s attempt to grubber kick it down the flank sees the ball fly into touch. Back to the South African lineout, and they very quickly and fluently run it into midfield.
SECOND HALF
We go again.
This was my favourite try of the first half. Gotta love a sneaky and speedy scrum-half, haven’t you?
A tweet that could well be a very accurate foreshadowing of the second half:
@DomBooth19 SA will start 2 raise the intensity level & will leave Tonga in the rear view mirror. SA are all about the business end of things at the WCup it’s all about what you do in the knockout stages the big boys playground & they’re biggest boys in the playground
— John McEnerney (@MackerOnTheMed) October 1, 2023
HALF TIME
They are denied! A good hand from the Tonga defence and it’s booted to safety, to keep the South Sea islanders’ deficit to just the 13 points. Any more would have been really harsh, after what’s been a spirited Tongan display in Marseille.
It’s South Africa 21-8 Tonga at the break.
40 mins. South Africa hunt a score in the final phase of the half … they want that bonus point and they want it now. Good field position for it, too.
TRY! South Africa 21-8 Tonga (Ben Tameifuna)
They do score! Captain Ben Tameifuna crashes over from close range as Tonga opt to keep it tight and bide their time, slipping it left from the base of the ruck for the impressive prop to score. A deserved try if ever there was one.
Havili’s conversion attempt is poor, screwed right, so it’s just the five points.
37 mins. Havili nudges another one into the corner after a penalty is awarded. They HAVE to score here. Surely.