The one Ireland v Scotland result that puts them both through and dumps South Africa out of the Rugby World Cup

Jorge October 2, 2023

0 19 4 minutes read

South Africa performed their last hand in the World Cup pool phases as they earned a bonus level win over Tonga – now it falls to their Pool B rivals Ireland and Scotland to play theirs.

The Springboks scored seven tries as they emerged 49-18 winners in the contest in Marseille, with the victory placing them high of their pool with 15 factors, forward of Ireland on 14 and Scotland on 10. Get the newest World Cup information by signing as much as our e-newsletter right here.

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The last standings in Pool B are set to be determined in subsequent week’s monumental conflict between Andy Farrell and Gregor Townsend’s sides, with completely all the things to play for. Scotland are the most up towards it with Ireland having gained each recreation at the match to this point, however there may be nonetheless an opportunity that the world quantity ones could possibly be knocked out in a serious shock.

And there may be additionally the chance that both groups make it through, with the reigning champions South Africa additionally dealing with the chance of an early flight dwelling. But how may such a scenario materialise? Here’s what you should know.

The present standings in Pool B

South Africa: 15 factors (Points distinction: +117)

Ireland: 14 factors (PD: +122)

Scotland: 10 factors (PD: +97)

How can Ireland and Scotland both nonetheless qualify?

The Springboks have achieved all they’ll, with the result of their last recreation towards Tonga leaving both Ireland and Scotland with a transparent image of what they have to do to make it through.

With a bonus level win and a 31-point margin of victory towards the Tongans, South Africa now sit at the high of Pool B.

However, they are going to be knocked out if Scotland rating 4 tries and beat Ireland by 21 factors whereas Andy Farrell’s aspect rating 4 tries of their very own to earn a shedding bonus level.

Such a result would see all three groups end on 15 factors in the group. In that scenario, who goes through will first be determined by factors distinction, with Scotland progressing high with the highest.

Ireland would additionally make it through in second by advantage of having gained their head-to-head match with the Boks, with Jacques Nienaber’s males eradicated in the pool stage for the first time ever.

With Scotland having crushed Ireland simply as soon as in the final 10 years, it’s actually an enormous job for Gregor Townsend’s males to drag this off – however something can occur in rugby.

Here are subsequent weekend’s permutations in full

Rugby World Cup pool stage tiebreakers, so as:

The winner of the match between two tied groups is ranked greater.
The staff with the finest factors distinction in the pool phases is ranked greater.
The staff with the finest distinction between tries scored and tries conceded in the pool phases is ranked greater.
The staff which has scored the most factors in the pool phases is ranked greater.
The staff which has scored the most tries in the pool phases is ranked greater.

So, if three groups are tied on factors and have all crushed one another, the winner will probably be determined by factors distinction.

World Rugby then state: “For clarification, in the case of a tie between three or extra Teams at the finish of the pool part, as soon as the highest ranked Team has been decided following the above standards, to find out the subsequent greater ranked Team the course of would repeat, beginning at criterion 1 (ie, who gained the head-to-head between the two remaining sides).

Here’s a reminder of the factors on provide from every match at the Rugby World Cup.