The Springboks will need to be wary of their Pacific counterparts as the World Cup winning squad of 2007 could tell the current South African squad, with John Smit's men pushed close by Tonga as they just managed a 30-25 victory some 16 years ago.
South Africa v Tonga
Sunday 1 October
Stade Velodrome
South Africa 1/200 | Draw 50/1 | Tonga 10/1
While the South Africans gave a decent account of themselves against the Irish in last Saturday’s 8-13 defeat, there will be some areas of concern for Jacques and Rassie. Their biggest worry at the moment must be their side’s goalkicking with the Springbok kickers missing 11-points from the tee this past weekend. Had half of those shots at goal gone over, we probably would have seen a South African victory as opposed to an Irish one.
With the above statement in mind, the Springbok brains trust must surely be looking at bringing in Handre Pollard who is by far and away the best goal kicking option in the side. While Rassie Erasmus has been saying that Pollard has to get up to speed before getting on the field, one has to think that the Leicester ace has to be in contention for this one.
Pollard may be one of a number of changes to the Springbok run on XV for this weekend with Cobus Reinach and Grand Williams sure to be considered as the starting nine options while Andre Esterhuizen could well come in for Damien de Allende as he will be a physical force against the Tonga midfield which is hard as nails. Continuing with the physicality theme we could well see starts for Marco Van Staaden and RG Snyman as the South Africans look to up the stakes in contact.
Like their South African counterparts, Tonga also come into this one off the back of a defeat as they went down 45-17 to Scotland. This was their second heavy defeat to Tier 1 opposition having gone down 59-16 to Ireland the week prior.
In terms of Tongan team news, they are likely to be without ex-All Black Vaea Fifita who was shown a red card for a dangerous challenge on Finn Russell, while winger Afusipa Taumoepeau could also cop a ban for his late shot.
Tonga have really struggled with discipline and I can see cards costing them against a South African side that will be hunting a bonus point.
Verdict: South Africa (-39.5) 17/20
