Springbok captain Siya Kolisi says he was more focused on the importance of earning a bonus-point victory rather than earning his 50th test cap for South Africa.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber praised the team’s effort and physicality against Tonga on Sunday night in their final Rugby World Cup pool match in Marseille – steering them to a 49-18 victory – and doing all they could to remain in the running to defend their title.
The Springboks have moved one step closer to qualifying for the World Cup quarter-finals after claiming a 49-18 bonus-point victory against Tonga in Marseille on Sunday evening.
Duane Vermeulen watched South Africa lose to Ireland in an epic World Cup Pool B match, sitting next to Rassie Erasmus in the coaches' box for the heartbreaking defeat.
Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard is relishing the chance to lead South Africa to victory against Tonga in their final Rugby World Cup pool match after a 13-month absence.
Springbok fullback Willie le Roux is expecting a “brutal” battle against Tonga in their final Rugby World Cup pool match in Marseille on Sunday.
Handre Pollard will play his first Test since August 2022 and Marco van Staden will wear the No 16 jersey as replacement hooker for the first time when the Springboks meet Tonga in Marseille on Sunday, as coach Jacques Nienaber rotated his starting team for their final Rugby World Cup pool match.
Springbok fly-half Handre Pollard could be in line to face Tonga in South Africa's final Rugby World Cup pool game at the Orange Velodrome on Sunday.
The Springbok coaches will weigh the team’s goalkicking options in the wake of the narrow defeat by Ireland (13-8) after returning from Paris to their Toulon training base on Sunday.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber and captain Siya Kolisi rued the missed opportunities as they suffered a disappointing 13-8 defeat against the top-ranked team in the world, Ireland, in their Rugby World Cup Pool B clash at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, but said they would keep their heads high and turn their focus to next week’s encounter against Tonga.