Bok centre Andre Esterhuizen on the charge against Tonga. (Photo by Steve Haag/Gallo Images)
Aesthetically, the Springboks’ group stages-concluding victory over Tonga fell under the category of the kind of performance only a doting mother would love. But looking at the final score of 49-18, Jacques Nienaber’s charges had achieved the bonus-point win they needed going into the game to all-but guarantee their place in the quarter-finals.
AS IT HAPPENED | Springboks fend off plucky Tonga to secure bonus-point win
Following a dozy start which saw lock Marvin Orie fail to secure the kick-off, the domino effect of which was a missed tackle by Bok captain Siya Kolisi on counterpart Ben Tameifuna and a third-minute penalty by Tongan flyhalf William Havili after No 8 Jasper Wiese was pinged for being offside, the defending champions were inaccurate and sometimes allowed themselves to be seduced by the opposition’s free-for-all brand of rugby.
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