Springboks new head coach. Rassie Erasmus for Bafana Bafana
Worst kept secret confirmed: Rassie Erasmus will take over from Jacques Nienaber as head coach of the Springboks. Photo: SA Rugby

Home » Springboks admit to keeping tabs on three RIVAL teams at RWC

Springboks admit to keeping tabs on three RIVAL teams at RWC

As the race for the playoffs heats up, the Springboks are keeping a close eye on these three teams ahead of the World Cup quarter-finals.

05-10-23 09:48
Springboks new head coach. Rassie Erasmus for Bafana Bafana
Worst kept secret confirmed: Rassie Erasmus will take over from Jacques Nienaber as head coach of the Springboks. Photo: SA Rugby

With the Rugby World Cup quarter-final line-ups still uncertain, there are a myriad of permutations the Springboks must keep in mind with one round of matches left to play.

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RUGBY WORLD CUP PERMUTATIONS

Going into the final round of the 2023 World Cup pool phase, only two teams – Wales and England – are already guaranteed qualification for the quarter-finals.

France and New Zealand are fighting for the top two spots in Pool A, while the Springboks, Ireland and Scotland are all still in contention to qualify from Pool B.

Fiji and Australia are looking to join Wales in escaping Pool C, while the winner of the match between Japan and Samoa will join England as Pool D’s quarter-finalists.

ALSO READ: All Rugby World Cup pool permutations — How the quarter-finals will be decided

SPRINGBOKS CASTING A WATCHING EYE OVER RIVALS

But with Pool A’s quarter-finalists set to square off against Pool B’s quarter-finalists, Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones was optimistic that South Africa were in a strong position to make it through to the top eight and they are really only following status of three teams who they think are likely to progress.

“Italy can also still qualify (in Pool A featuring France and New Zealand) so we’ll keep an eye on the three teams we think can go through,” said Jones.

“In our case there are about 20 possible permutations, and we can lose out in one of those scenarios, although it is unlikely. So, after the weekend we’ll narrow in on the opposition.”

ALSO READ: PERMUTATIONS — Rassie maps out how Springboks can make or miss quarters

Springboks star centre Lukhanyo Am
Springbok centre Lukhanyo Am in training. Photo: SA Rugby.

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