The Springboks are starting to wrap up their preparation for Sunday’s big Rugby World Cup Pool B clash against Tonga in Marseille.

The Boks will be a bonus point win on the weekend to keep their chances alive of reaching the quarter-finals where it is predicted that they will face the hosts, France.

Scotland, who lost 18-3 to the Springboks in Marseille during the opening weekend can sneak into the playoffs, but for that they will be to beat Romania and Ireland with a bonus point.

This places even more importance on the game between the Boks and the Sea Eagles this weekend.

The Boks aren’t gambling and they have named a very strong team for the game, with only a handful of regular starts such as Bongi Mbonambi being rested.

The Test will also mark the long-awaited return of the flyhalf, Handre Pollard, who what will be his fits game back for the Springboks since August last year.

Initially, Pollard was set to miss the World Cup, but he was thrown a lifeline due to the injury of the hooker, Malcolm Marx.

Pollard has only played 40 minutes for this club, the Leicester Tigers in an English Premiership game against the Sale Sharks.

Jacques Nienaber - RWC2023

The Bok coach, Jacques Nienaber, is confident that Pollard is fit and ready to go this weekend.

“That’s why we went with a five-three split on the bench. If you look at Handre, he hasn’t played top-level club rugby since the first weekend in May. I think it’s about 19 weeks ago and in that 19 weeks, he’s only played 30 minutes of club rugby and that was in the Premiership Cup for Leicester Tigers the other night.

“There’s a good possibility that he probably would struggle to get through an intense game, a good probability that he might cramp up. That’s why we went with the five-three and have Manie Libbok on the bench just for cover.”

Sunday’s game at the Stade Velodrome kicks off at 21:00.

John Mitchell - RWC

Meanwhile, on Thursday in Toulouse, the Brave Blossoms of Japan will be in action against Manu Samoa in an important Pool D game for both teams.

Both teams are on five points after two games and whoever wins tonight will take a big step towards the quarter-finals.

The Japanese assistant coach, John Mitchell, said despite Samoa's physicality they must following on their own game.

“While we're aware of Samoa's physicality and respect that, our focus has been more on our own performance and that is making sure we execute our opportunities when they present themselves.

“I thought in the England match just after half-time there was a period of play that was extremely unstructured.

“We were in the fight and we presented ourselves opportunities, and the biggest learning for us was that we didn't execute those big moments.

“That is very important for us against Samoa, knowing the game will go up another physical step because that is a strength of theirs and something that they are very proud of.”

Thursday's match in Toulouse kicks off at 21:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport