The Springboks will face France at the Stade de France on Friday night with their place in the first Nations Championship final in their own hands. But they have no room for a slip, according to IOL Sport.
South Africa and New Zealand are level on 20 points each in the Southern Hemisphere group. Both teams have won four matches with a bonus point.
The Springboks sit at the top because of a better points difference. They are 67 points ahead of the All Blacks on that measure.
All the Southern Hemisphere teams are fighting for one spot in the final. The team that gets it will play the winner of the Northern Hemisphere group.
Rassie Erasmus and his side moved to the top after a big win over Italy in Turin on Saturday. That match was played at the Allianz Stadium. Morne van den Berg had another strong game for the Boks.
IOL Sport reported that two more bonus-point wins, against France and then Ireland, should send the Springboks to the final.
The All Blacks have an easier set of matches left. They still have to play Wales and England.
If the Springboks lose one of their last two games and New Zealand win both of theirs, the All Blacks will go through to the final instead.
New Zealand will also try to score many points against Wales. A big win would help them cut the gap in points difference. Their match against England next week is expected to be their hardest test.
In the Northern Hemisphere group, three teams are still in the race. France, England and Ireland are all chasing the top spot.
France, coached by Fabien Galthié, lead that group. They are two points ahead of both England and Ireland.
The French can book their place in the final with two wins and one bonus point. Their last two matches are against the Springboks and then Argentina.
Wins in both of those games would put pressure on England and Ireland, IOL Sport said.
If France lose to the Springboks in Paris, Ireland could move above them. Ireland would need to beat Fiji for that to happen.
England could also climb to the top of the group. They have a better points difference than Ireland.
For England to go top, France would have to lose to South Africa. England would also need to beat Fiji with a bonus point.
The matches for the finals weekend will only be known after next week’s last round of group games is played.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.