South Africa will be looking to secure top spot in Pool B when they face the United States at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London. Join The Roar for live scores from 2:45am (AEDT) for live scores.
Since Japan knocked off the Springboks in the fourth match of the 2015 Rugby World Cup, Pool B has remained the most fascinating pool of the tournament.
While the cream has risen to the top of every other group, just three points separate South Africa (11), Scotland (10) and Japan (8) leading into this match.
While the battle for second place will realistically come down to the results of Scotland and Japan’s final games, it is still a mathematical possibility for South Africa to miss out on advancing to the knock-out stages.
Thankfully for South African fans, they’re playing a team that has yet to secure a single point this World Cup.
Considering the criticism the Springboks have copped following their disappointing loss to Japan, we can be confident they’ll be out to make a statement today, rather than to simply cruise to the quarters.
Heyneke Meyer has brought Frans Malherbe into the starting fifteen for his first match of the World Cup, replacing Jannie du Plessis, while JP Pietersen has been omitted for Lwazi Mvovo. On the bench Morne Steyn has replaced Patrick Lambie.
But the Spingboks won’t have it all their own way with Samu Manoa leading the USA Eagles from the front as not only one of their best attacking players, but also their captain for this match.
Can the Springboks muscle their way to a confidence boosting win? Or can the Eagles give them a scare?
Join The Roar for live scores of the Springboks versus the USA Eagles from 2:45am (AEDT).
If you are following the match live, be sure to join in the banter and share your thoughts in the comments below.
Harry Jones
Expert
RedsKing, yes, I was talking about how he took on NZ at junior level and now. No fear. I don't think you can beat NZ very often, if at all, with a deep 10 in the pocket. He's also fast and big enough to pose problems as he sorts his defensive positioning. Lots to learn, still, for sure. But the point about wins and losses is that he doesn't hold NZ too much in awe.
RedsKing
Guest
Are you counting his wins in the jr. world cup against nz opposition? Because he has only been in a Bok team that has beaten the All Blacks once. Like I said, he takes the line on but teams now know he does that. He still has that school boy super hero attitude which just doesn't work at international level. You can often see how good a player is just by looking at their eyes. Is there something between the ears? For Pollard, I suspect not.
Harry Jones
Expert
Ridiculous allegation; well-handled by all involved at World Rugby, SARU, USA Rugby. There are so many sites that specialise in (funny) ill-timed photographs; this is just one of those. You could find something odd-looking in almost every ruck if you freeze the frame.
Taylorman
Guest
Cos he's waiting for Morne Steyn to get into position? Bring back Morne, bring back Morne!
It has been dismissed, USA acted pro actively and denied it.
Harry Jones
Expert
RedsKing, I've never been one to bash Morne Steyn. I think he has always been the consummate professional and gives it all he has; and he was one of the great pressure kickers in history, really. Pollard is the only SA flyhalf rated by NZ coaches and players for his attacking ability. I'd pull the quotes, but even Hansen (not a guy to emote) has gone on and on about how good he is ("a pretty decent footballer that boy; cut us up" is the kind of thing you'll get from Shag). Pollard is 21. He's beaten NZ teams at a higher rate than any other 10 we have. He tackles like a loose forward. He takes the ball flat (a key to beating NZ), breaks tackles, and beats defenders. He generally uses a 2:1:2 ratio at test level (kick-run-pass) but mixes it up so it's not so predictable. He has beaten 12 defenders in this RWC; I think that is second after Damian de Allende. He needs to tighten up his passes and his tactical kicks, for sure, but if you look at how NZ or OZ attacks--they make more errors bc they take more chances, and if we are to take the Cup, we will have to embrace more risk.
RedsKing
Guest
How is Pollard the man? Why? I don't understand why he is rated. Because he attacks the line (ineffectively)? The backline only began firing once Steyn came on. le Roux also plays very well off Steyn and he began to do his magic. Pollard and Kriel are both ball hogs who think they can still dominate like its school boy level.
Harry Jones
Expert
Kriel hasn't played that well, in this tournament. Mixture of tentative at times and then head-down. He and Willie need to come right. Pollard is the man.
Harry Jones
Expert
Malherbe 100% cleared of any wrongdoing.
superba
Guest
As you can not see Malherbe's lower jaw one cannot say what was going on . An open or shut case perhaps ??
I would expect so , yes Splinter.
Vic
Guest
So - Malherbe says he didn't. The USA player says he didn't feel anything - what are we investigating? Malherbe kissing the USA player? For Pete's sake, Pete? Of course the Daily Mail, having no team of their own to gush about anymore, is going to try and discredit everyone else. Anatomically it is extremely unlikely that he could be biting with his lip in that position- try it
splinter
Guest
BB would a top SA side full strength Lions or Stormers have beaten the USA on the night.
Yeah redsking, Mallett was saying the same thing about Kriel
splinter
Guest
Agree on Pollard
Suzy Poison
Guest
Agree deserves a suspension if the video proves Malherbe bit down on the USA player's shoulder pad, regardless of whether the player felt it or not.
PeterK
Roar Guru
I agree hence the word investigation. I have not said he is guilty, there is not enough evidence for that. Nor does the US playering he cannot remember anything mean he did not try and bite him. After he is wearing a shoulder pad and would not feel it. Going through the video in slo mo would be part of the investigation I am talking about. Still stands though if he is found to be trying to bite him regardless of where he deserves a suspension.
Suzy Poison
Guest
Maybe......but I haven't seen the slow mo video replay. That would be telling and worth an investigation. But it could just be a reflex action from the USA player hit Malherbe in the mouth? If there was a follow up photo with Malherbe's teeth biting down on the shoulder pad, I would be more convinced, but we haven't seen that. I am sure if that photo was taken it would be all over the front page. The photo is perfectly timed. The player himself said he couldn't recall anything.
PeterK
Roar Guru
surely it deserves investigation, if he is trying to bite but dumb enough to bite the shoulder pad he still deserves a suspension.
Suzy Poison
Guest
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/article-3264041/South-Africa-s-impressive-win-against-USA-overshadowed-controversy-did-Sportsmail-s-photographer-catch-Frans-Malherbe-biting-Matt-Trouville.html An awesomely timed photo of a gum guard on a shoulder pad. You have to take your hat off to photographer for creating a headline grabbing photo. But then what else do you expect from the Daily Mail, that fine pillar of journalistic integrity.