Ireland vs Springboks Scotland game
Ireland’s wing James Lowe (L) and Ireland’s wing Keith Earls (R) celebrate with Ireland’s scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park (C) after he scored a try during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and Romania at Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, south-western France on September 9, 2023. (Photo by ROMAIN PERROCHEAU / AFP)

Home » When the crucial Ireland-Scotland World Cup game kicks off

When the crucial Ireland-Scotland World Cup game kicks off

The Springboks will be keeping a close eye on the World Cup clash between Ireland and Scotland on Saturday. Here’s why.

By Craig Lewis
06-10-23 08:17
in Sport
Ireland vs Springboks Scotland game
Ireland’s wing James Lowe (L) and Ireland’s wing Keith Earls (R) celebrate with Ireland’s scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park (C) after he scored a try during the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and Romania at Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, south-western France on September 9, 2023. (Photo by ROMAIN PERROCHEAU / AFP)

The Springboks have effectively qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals already, with only a bizarre match result between Ireland and Scotland potentially still having the potential to knock them out. These two teams clash on Saturday night, with kick off at 9pm.

ALSO READ: Early exits: Prepare for a Rugby World Cup travesty!

If Ireland defeat Scotland and deny the opposition a bonus point, Ireland and the Springboks will advance to top eight. On the other hand, a victory for Scotland by eight points while denying Ireland a bonus point will see Scotland and the Springboks go through.

In turn a draw would see the Boks finish at the top of the pool, with the only permutation which would see the Springboks drop out of the competition would be if Scotland defeat Ireland by at least 21 points and with both teams earning try-scoring bonus points.

Updated rankings: Where Springboks stand after Tonga win

The Boks have three training days this week – Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday – before the weekend’s matches play out, and they will resume their full match training week on Sunday.

All in all, there is no doubt that all of South Africa will still be watching this match with an air of anxiety as they hope to avoid any dramatic World Cup exit that would come as a complete shock.

ALSO READ: How Springboks could still MISS out on World Cup quarter-finals

WORLD CUP QUARTER-FINAL PLACES STILL TO BE DECIDED IN POOL B:

  • Scotland must beat Ireland and deny the Irish a bonus point to finish second on the head-to-head rule with South Africa topping the pool.
  • If Ireland get a bonus point and Scotland do not, Ireland will top the pool on the head-to-head rule from South Africa.
  • A Scotland bonus-point win without Ireland getting anything from the game will see them qualify in second place behind South Africa. The Springboks would finish top on the head-to-head rule.
  • If Scotland win and both teams get a bonus point, then they join South Africa on 15 points and points difference will determine top spot in Pool B.
  • Scotland must win by 21 points or more to claim top spot ahead of South Africa (South Africa +117, Ireland +122 and Scotland +97). Ireland would then qualify as runners-up on the head-to-head rule, having beaten South Africa. If Scotland do not win by such a margin, then South Africa will finish top on points difference and Scotland second on the head-to-head rule.
  • Ireland will guarantee top spot if they secure two points from their match against Scotland.

RASSIE ERASMUS SHOWCASED AN INTERESTING BREAKDOWN BELOW:

ALSO READ: Rugby World Cup pool stage tiebreakers explained

Tags: featured HNelnny Important Ireland-Scotland game Rugby World Cup