South Africa vs Tonga LIVE: Rugby World Cup result and final score as Springboks go top of Pool B
South Africa 49-18 Tonga: The Springboks bounced back from last weekend’s defeat to Ireland to move to the top of the table on 15 points
South Africa were firmly on track for the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals as they ran in seven tries to knock Tonga out with a 49-18 victory in their last Pool B game on Sunday.
Cobus Reinach, Canan Moodie, Deon Fourie, Jesse Kriel, Willie Le Roux, Marco van Staden and Kwagga Smith went over the line and Handre Pollard (4) and Manie Libbok (3) converted to put the defending champions top of their group on 15 points.
It was, however, the first time since the 2015 World Cup that the Springboks conceded three tries in a match as Ben Tameifuna, Fine Inisi and Patrick Pellegrini touched down in a fierce performance by Tonga.
South Africa will go through if Scotland fail to beat Ireland, who overcame the Springboks in the first game of the group and have 14 points, with a bonus point.
Follow all the latest from the Pool B match below. Get all the Rugby World Cup odds here, plus the latest tips and free bets on the World Cup here.
South Africa 21-8 Tonga - 39 minutes
Tonga miss the chance at the conversion, the first kick Havili has missed at the World Cup, it was just wide of the posts, but what a time to get a first try, just on the stroke of half time.
Try! South Africa 21-8 Tonga - 38 minutes
Tonga inch closer, they can’t even be a metre away from the touchline, but there is still a dark green wall spread out in front of them...but they score!
Tameifuna has what can only be described as bulldozed his way over the line and gives his side their first try of the game.
South Africa 21-3 Tonga - 37 minutes
Tonga have another chance to try and score their first try of the match here with a line out deep into South Africa territory about six metres out.
They really have to capitalise on this one after all their early pressure.
South Africa 21-3 Tonga - 35 minutes
The British referee Luke Pearce just takes his time to reset a try and demand that Tonga allow the South Africa players in.
South Africa 21-3 Tonga - 34 minutes
South Africa cannot secure their spot in the quarter-finals this evening, after their defeat to Ireland, but they can do almost everything but.
Conversion! South Africa 21-3 Tonga - 32 minutes
Pollard again makes no mistakes to add another two points to South Africa’s total, and they are nearing half time with a healthy lead.
Try! South Africa 19-3 Tonga - 31 minutes
That was also kicked into touch and about as close to the line as you can get, in almost a carbon copy of two minutes ago there is a maul towards the line.
But unlike the last two this one is a try, to Deon Fourie!
South Africa 14-3 Tonga - 30 minutes
Another line out for South Africa, again close to the try line.
There’s another maul towards the line, but Tonga are holding them back again, and the ball is lost, but there will be another penalty for the Springboks.
TMO: South Africa 14-3 Tonga - 29 minutes
The TMO is just having a look at a tackle by Pulu from Tonga against South Africa’s Mapimpi.
The English referee has had a look but does not believe there is enough contact for a yellow card and it will stay just a penalty.
South Africa 14-3 Tonga - 29 minutes
South Africa have the penalty advantage but might not need it as first Pollard then Wiese look to drive towards the line.
The ball goes back for the advantage and there’s a check for foul play.
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