Obviously overshadowed by the Japanese feat against Ireland, the rest of the program of Saturday, September 28 of the Rugby World Cup 2019 has not been stingy in lessons, if not surprises. South Africa and Argentina have ensured the basics, beating respectively - and with offensive bonus - Namibia and Tonga.
For the Springboks, the goal, beyond a bonus victory, was to confirm the good performance of his sidelines, while 13 players were left to rest after the inaugural defeat against New Zealand. The bet was largely held by the men of Johan Erasmus, who have made a bite of their neighbors.
It took them half an hour to plant the four bonus attempts. The first three come each time on balls carried consecutive keys to 5 meters, Mbonambi (10th, 18th) and Louw (15th) flattened in the beginning. And it is Mapimpi who took charge of the fourth, along the touchline (26th). Meanwhile, Namibia was awarded three points on a penalty from Loubster (23rd), on one of his rare incursions into the South African camp. And it is logical, on a fifth try signed Am full axis (40th), the Boks have folded the game before the break (31-3).
The recovery was only a long recital. Gelant (47th), Mapimpi again (54th) and Kolisi (59th) allowed South Africa to pass the symbolic mark of 50 points, before Britz put an end to the demonstration of his (64th). Final score: 57-3, a gap that perfectly illustrates the seriousness with which the Springboks played this game. And the Namibians, with a 54 point deficit (9 tries), can at least be satisfied with avoiding a similar rout of eight years ago, which had been of a different magnitude. 0, 12 trials conceded).
Argentina rakes without convincing
Earlier in the day, Argentina found Tonga, after a frustrating entry in the fight against the XV of France. In the face of the Islanders, the Pumas had the obligation to win to preserve their chances of qualifying for the quarter-finals. Completed contract for the South American selection, which prevailed with the offensive bonus (28-12) and therefore takes second place in Pool C to the Blues, with six points against four, but one more game to play side French.
In front of Tonga, Argentina did not have to force its talent, being content to exploit the many faults of hands of opponents to close the suspense even before the break. Great craftsman of the victory of his, Montoya has offered a hat-trick during the first half-hour (7th, 17th, 26th) and Carreras has completed the score sheet by flattening himself also in the beginning (20th). Sufficient to ensure the offensive bonus from half an hour of play, while the Tongans had not yet found the flaw. But Veainu, before the break, allowed his family to avoid the bubble (28-7).
But after the locker room, while the Argentines had the opportunity to push the point, their game was totally disintegrated. Unable to score again, either in the game or on a set kick, the men of Mario Ledesma were content to repel the assault of the opponents until the final whistle, still cashing a new test by Veainu (28-12, 66e). Insufficient to put Argentina really in trouble, but not really reassuring for the Pumas, who will have to show a completely different level of play if they want to pull their qualification against the English, October 5 next.