Better a Bok on a break than Irish, says Rassie: Pool B decider always 'going to be nervy'

In Toulon

SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said the Springboks may be at the mercy of the outcome of the Scotland/Ireland Pool B game from a quarter-final qualification perspective, but it's a better position to be in than worrying about having an off day that could lead to elimination.

The Boks completed their Pool B programme with a 49-18 win against Tonga in Marseille on Sunday, leaving them with 15 points from four games after other wins against Scotland (18-3) and Romania (76-0) also set them up well.

The Boks' 13-8 loss to Ireland in Paris on 23 September set them back a bit, but the losing bonus point they accrued in the loss may come in handy.

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The permutations are listed here, but Erasmus said they can afford to sleep easier knowing they've done their bit to qualify. 

"With full humbleness, and there is no arrogance saying this, but I'd rather sit here than be Ireland knowing that we've been number one in the world all the time and Scotland basically just have to beat them by eight points, and they are out of the tournament," Erasmus said.

"The score could be 22-12 or 22-13 and Ireland are out of the competition if they don't get a bonus point.

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"Of the three teams, we are probably the most comfortable sitting here knowing we have a two-week rest.

"Look, maybe we have got six months' rest if the cards don't fall our way. We have got two weeks off where we can analyse all three teams that we can possibly play."

The quarter-finals between the runners-up and winners of Pool A and B take place on Saturday (14 October) and Sunday (15 October).

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