Springboks v Tonga: Kick-off time, team line-ups and officials

The Springboks will meet Tonga in Marseille on Sunday, with the outcome of this World Cup match set to be crucial in determining which two teams from Pool B advance to the quarter-finals, and who they will play in the top-eight playoff.

The match – in which the Springboks will be targeting a bonus-point win to book their quarter-final qualification – will be played at Stade de Marseille. It kicks off at 21h00 on Sunday and will be broadcast live on SuperSport and SABC.

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The Springboks have mixed and matched with their selections

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Grant Williams, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Siya Kolisi (Captain), 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Ox Nche
Replacements: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Jesse Kriel, 23 Manie Libbok

Tonga: 15 Salesi Piutau, 14 Fine Inisi, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Anzelo Tuitavuki, 10 William Havili, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Semisi Paea, 7 Sione Talitui, 6 Tanginoa Halaifonua, 5 Sam Lousi, 4 Halaleva Fifita, 3 Ben Tameifuna (c), 2 Paula Ngauamo, 1 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi.
Subs: 16 Sam Moli, 17 Tau Koloamatangi, 18 Sosefo Apikotoa, 19 Adam Coleman, 20 Sione Vailanu, 21 Sonatane Takulua, 22 Patrick Pellegrini, 23 Afusipa Taumoepeau.

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Match details and officials

Date: Sunday, October 1
Venue: Stade de Marseille, Marseille
Kick-off: 21.00 (19.00 GMT; 21.00 SAST; October 2, 08.00 TOT)
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (England) & Christophe Ridley (England)
TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)

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Stats and Facts

Springbok record against Tonga:
Played 2, Won 2, Lost 0. Points for: 104; Points against: 35. Tries scored: 16; Tries conceded: 4. Highest score: 74; Biggest win: 64 points (74-10). Average score: 52-17. Win %: 100%.

• Milestones:
  Willie le Roux will play in his 90^th Test match for the Boks on Sunday.
• Siya Kolisi will captain the Springboks for the 50^th time in a Test match.
• It will be the third Test match between the Springboks against Tonga. The last time they lined up against one another was at the 2007 Rugby World Cup, also in France, with the Boks winning by 30-25.

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Miscellaneous:

• The total Test caps for the Springbok starting line-up is 638.
• There are 254 caps in the backline, with 384 caps among the forwards. On the bench there are a further 354 caps.
• The average caps per player in the backline is 36, the forwards 48, while the players on the bench average 44.

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