“We’ll probably play France or New Zealand, and I am excited for either one of them.”
Springbok lock Eben Etzebeth says they don’t thoughts going through both the hosts France or New Zealand within the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup.
After Saturday’s 13-8 loss to Pool B rivals Ireland, the Boks’ likelihood of creating it to the knockout levels took a little bit of a knock. To give themselves an opportunity, they should win their ultimate pool recreation in opposition to Tonga subsequent Sunday.
Although Ireland is primed to complete first after successful their three matches to date, Pool B can nonetheless be turned on its head if Scotland win their three remaining video games in opposition to Tonga, Romania and Ireland.
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Meanwhile, in Pool A, France look set to complete on high of the group with New Zealand following them. Italy additionally have a slight likelihood of creating it out of Pool A as they have gained their opening two matches, however they are going to face the All Blacks and France to conclude their group stage.
Whether the Boks end as runners-up or winners of their pool, they are going to have a troublesome last-eight encounter in opposition to the Pool B sides.
“We have Tonga, we still have to win that game, and then France have obviously got Italy. So there are still a few games that need to happen, so we’ll probably play France or New Zealand. I am excited for either one of them,” stated Etzebeth.
‘Like a playoff’
Reflecting on the Test in opposition to Ireland, the Bok enforcer picked up loads of positives, saying the match challenged them in numerous elements.
“It was a tough Test match. It was physical. That was like playing a playoff game. They have good running rugby, good at the breakdown and good basics,” he stated.
The Springboks will now flip their consideration to Tonga, who they face subsequent weekend in Marseille’s Stade Vélodrome. The match is a must-win for the Boks and the administration may put out a robust workforce to make sure they get the required bonus-point win to have their finest likelihood of progressing to the knockouts.
“We have one more [pool] game left. We have Tonga, that is the main focus now and after that, the knockouts start so I’m looking forward to that,” Etzebeth stated.
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