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The South African rugby players had no trouble dominating their Namibian rivals on September 28, 2019 at Toyota. Issei Kato / Reuters

Beaten by New Zealand for entry into the World Cup, South Africa took the lead on Saturday (September 28th) beating Namibia in Toyota (Japan) in Group B (57-3). A logical victory that revives the Springboks in the quarterfinal race.

The Springboks knew they had no choice. Their defeat conceded on 21 September against the New Zealand world champions (23-13) , in what was the shock of the first round of this Rugby World Cup in Japan, condemned them almost to a faultless against their opponents. three other opponents in Pool B.

The first step went as planned. The South Africans did not tremble for a moment against Namibia this Saturday, September 28th. At the City of Toyota Stadium, in the city of the same name, South Africa won (57-3).

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9⃣ tries scored
0⃣ conceded
5 points in the bag

🇳🇦 big thank thank African African African African African African African African African African
S Good luck for the rest of the tournament! #StrongerTogether # RWC2019 #RSAvNAM pic.twitter.com/6eBZ3gqZJT

Springboks (@Springboks) September 28, 2019

Nine trials scored, none cashed

Largely favorites against Namibians who have never won a single World Cup match in their history, the Springboks took the lead in the 10th minute with a first try of Bongi Mbonambi. Four more will follow in the first half (François Louw 14th, again Bongi Mbonambi 16th, Makazole Mapimpi 26th, Lukhanyo Am 41st), against a single penalty passed by the Namibian Cliven Loubser (23rd).

After the break, the Welwitschias did not score, but they managed to stop some South African attacks, making their defeat lighter. Warrick Gelant (47), Makazole Mapimpi (53) Siyamthanda Kolisi (58), Schalk Brits (63) still managed to score new tests.

Namibia satisfied despite all, South Africa launched to 2nd place

Despite an encore team, the Springboks did the job. " It was a great game," said captain of the day Schalk Brits, 38, the second-oldest player in the World Cup behind Japan's Luke Thompson. Without forcing his talent, South Africa won and surpassed the 50-point mark, a first in this 2019 World Cup.

Namibians and South Africans greet public at the City of Toyota Stadium after meeting on September 28, 2019. Matthew Childs / Reuters

Welsh Phil Davies, Namibia coach, believes his players have " played with a lot of courage ". As in 2015, the Namibians lose, but the scores are lighter than before. And we are far from the previous beating suffered against the Springboks at the 2007 World (105-13) and the 2011 edition (87-0).

While waiting for the other meetings of group B, South Africa takes the second place, that which it seems destined to reach in fine behind the All Blacks. To keep it and qualify for the quarterfinals, they will have to assume their status again against Italy on October 4 and against Canada on October 8. Namibia is last.