Ireland assistant Mike Catt laughs off 'match-fixing' conspiracy to dump Boks out of World Cup

Ireland attack coach Mike Catt has dismissed suggestions they could collude with Scotland to send South Africa out of the Rugby World Cup. 

READ | Nienaber on suggestion of Ireland-Scotland ploy to eliminate Boks: 'That would be match-fixing'

There is a slim mathematical chance that South Africa could exit the tournament in the pool stages. For that to happen, Scotland must beat Ireland by a margin of 21 points or more, with both teams scoring four tries to earn an attacking bonus point.

Such a scenario would mean all three teams would finish pool play on 15 points. The Scots would then top the group on points difference, but Ireland would finish second ahead of South Africa because they won their pool game against the Boks.

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber labelled the idea of Ireland and Scotland being in cahoots as "match-fixing" and Catt also laughed it off during a press conference.

"Yeah 100 percent, that stuff is just white noise in the background. No, we're not going to go in cahoots with Scotland," the Ireland attack guru said.

"Firstly I'd ask you, would we want Scotland to beat us by 21 points? If you asked any player in this room, any of us would they want Scotland to beat you by 21 points?" the former England centre added with a dismissive laugh.

"No, sorry."

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Catt said Ireland head coach Andy Farrell and his team of assistants are fully aware of the maths involved.

"I'm just focusing on our performance and the preparation of the players. But as a group of coaches, Andy is fully aware of what’s going and what needs to happen," he added.

"Ultimately, both teams need to win the game. If you do that then you put