The Springboks’ dream to defend their Rugby World Cup title remains alive after their passage to the quarterfinals of the global showpiece was finally confirmed.
Even though Jacques Nienaber’s charges won all but one of their Pool matches, they were made to wait anxiously to secure their spot in the knockout stages.
After beating Tonga last week and getting the necessary bonus point, the Boks needed Ireland to avoid defeat by 21 points against Scotland to advance.
In what was a group of death, the Boks, Ireland and Scotland, battled it out to finish in the top two, with Tonga also giving their best in a bid to upset the apple cart.
In the end it’s the world number one side Ireland and the defending champions the Springboks who progress to the next round. The Springboks will now continue their preparations for the quarterfinals, where they will face hosts and Pool A toppers France on Saturday.
It remains to be seen whether Nienaber will shoehorn the returning Lukhanyo Am into his match-day 23 to face France in Paris.
The star centre made the 11-hour trip from Mzansi to France to join the Boks squad as a replacement for the injured Makazole Mapimpi.
Am, one of the best midfielders in the game at the moment, could very well play a significant role in helping the Boks defend a title that he was crucial in winning four years ago in Japan.
He missed out on selection for the initial World Cup squad due to a knee injury in August during a World Cup warm-up match against Argentina in Buenos Aires. Nevertheless, it remains to be seen whether Nienaber will gamble on Am, just as he did with another returnee from injury, Handre Pollard, against Tonga last week.
Springbok assistant coach Felix Jones, however, insists they are delighted to have the world class centre back in the fold and is hoping he can help the team defend their title.
“He (Am) is an experienced player and he’s been part of the group for many years, so we’ll bank on his experience and his ability to do the job for us.
“Lukhanyo arrived on Wednesday and did some light field work with us, so we’ll see how he goes in the next few days,” said Jones.
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