Suddenly the Boks’ potential road to the latter stages of Rugby World Cup 2019 might not include a quarter-final meeting against Ireland. If the Boks win that then they are through to the last eight as Canada cannot beat them. It’s no wonder coach Rassie Erasmus was telling anyone who would listen after the Namibia match that facing ‘Japan is a scary play-off prospect’. Obviously, there was a lot hinging on that game between Ireland and Japan, but I knew that Japan had a realistic chance of winning that game and the game against Scotland to top their pool. Ireland’s loss to Japan, which might have taken them out of the Boks’ quarter-final path and into the All Blacks’ road, will sting.

Source: Irish Examiner October 01, 2019 14:48 UTC