Nienaber on potential ploy to get Springboks eliminated

Jacques Nienaber gave a stern answer when asked about the potential of Ireland and Scotland arranging a result to kick the Springboks out of the World Cup.

ALSO READ: Makazole Mapimpi ruled OUT of World Cup

POOL B PERMUTATIONS

The Springboks currently lead the way in Pool B, but with Ireland and Scotland yet to square off, things could change drastically this coming week. 

The Springboks have 15 log points after four games. Ireland and Scotland – who face off in what will be a pool decider on Saturday – are on 14 and 10 points respectively. Erasmus explained a series of permutations that could come into play.

If Scotland beat Ireland by eight points or more and Ireland don’t get a bonus point, then Ireland are out. If all three teams finish on 15 log points, the team with the best points difference will go through.

ALSO READ: Springboks call-up Lukhanyo Am for World Cup duty

If Scotland have the best points difference, then the Springboks will fall out because Ireland defeated them, but for that to happen Scotland must score four tries and beat Ireland by more than 20 points, and Ireland must also get a bonus point.

On the other hand, if Ireland have the best points difference, then the Springboks will go through to the quarter-finals because we defeated Scotland.

ALSO READ: Rassie maps out how Springboks can make or miss quarters

NIENABER ON POTENTIAL PLOT AGAINST SPRINGBOKS

When asked during the Springboks’ post-match press conference whether Ireland and Scotland could sneakily hatch a plan between them this week which will see them play to a certain game to get a specific scoreline that will get both Six Nations sides through to the World Cup quarter-finals and simultaneously get the Springboks eliminated, Nienaber said it would amount to match-fixing.

“I think between ourselves, Ireland and Scotland, everybody can still miss out on the quarter-finals, every single team, all three of those teams, but all three can also still make it so the pool will only be decided on Saturday,” the head coach said.

“Could I believe in a scenario that they will decide ‘do we want to get this amount of points and then get South Africa out of the way?’ That would probably be match-fixing, I would say. I hope not.

“Rugby is clean. We wear those t-shirts so hopefully not because that would be extremely disappointing.”

ALSO READ: Springboks’ kicking game on point thanks to Pollard and LIBBOK

"That would be extremely disappointing…"

– The extraordinary Pool B match-fixing suggestion put to Jacques Nienaber in the final question of his Sunday night post-match Springboks briefing. #Springboks #RSAvTGA #RWC2023 #IREvSCO pic.twitter.com/qrDjCcxEnU

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 2, 2023