The integrity and crunching commitment of their defence stays a key pillar of the Springboks' RWC retention hopes, insists Rob Houwing.
So rarely do the Springboks leak three tries in Test matches these days that a few mutterings among sterner critics - many of them not South African - were triggered after their hard-earned downing of Tonga in the World Cup on Sunday.
That suggestion of vulnerability overlooked the more pivotal development, really: acquisition of an important bonus point for scoring seven tries themselves in Marseille which propelled the defending champions to top of Pool B after completion of their own group fixtures. It will now take a highly complex set of permutations for both of Ireland and Scotland, who meet each other this Saturday, to sensationally nudge SA out of knockout-phase qualification and see the staple Six Nations sides instead progress together.Get 14 days free to read all our investigative and in-depth journalism. Thereafter you will be billed R75 per month. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won't be billed.
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