Although Ireland and Scotland still have to play tonight in an important Group B match at the Stade de France, the Springboks have their sights set on the World Cup quarter-finals.
The defending World Champion team can still be eliminated if both teams achieve a three-touch bonus point in Paris and Scotland beat Ireland by 21 or more points.
“We did everything we could to be in a position to qualify for the quarter-finals; now we can only wait and see what happens,” said Vincent Koch.
According to the Springbok prop, the South Africans did not take things more calmly on the training field at all.
“We trained as we would prepare for an important playoff game. Yes, we have to wait for tonight’s final result, but preparing for a quarter-final was still our main focus.”
The coaching group analyzed the Boks’ performance against Tonga and came up with plans so that the team can play their best rugby in the knockout rounds.
It is expected that Ireland may have too much ammunition for the fiery Scots this evening and if this is indeed the case, South Africa will compete against France in the next round of the tournament.
Earlier, Jean Kleyn – a player who played a few times for Ireland – also said that Johnny Sexton and them could walk away with the match laurels against Scotland.
“If we look at Saturday’s game realistically, Ireland will win. They are currently playing very good rugby.”
Yet he believes that there has always been a touch of hostility between the Irish and the Scots on the rugby field.
“For example, look at a match between Munster and Glasgow – there is always a little more aggression involved. It’s a fighting story and it’s even more in the spotlight when Ireland play Scotland.
“Saturday promises to be a serious test.”
