POLL: Who will the Springboks face in RWC quarterfinals?
Despite the mugging by Japan in their Rugby World Cup opener, the Springboks have managed to redeem themselves temporarily in the eyes of their supporters with successive victories over Samoa and Scotland.
With what appears to be an easy match to wrap up the Pool phase of their campaign against the USA in London on Wednesday, the Boks could still end up on top of Pool B.
The Scots are still favourites to join South Africa in the quarterfinals, providing they conclude their business on a winning note against Samoa in Newcastle on Saturday.
Surprise package Japan could still upset the applecart with a convincing victory over the USA on Sunday in Gloucester, but their progress into the last 8 will largely be determined by how the Bravehearts fare against Samoa.
Then there's the knockout phase, where every match is regarded as a final.
As the format would have it, the winners of Pool A meet the runners-up in Pool B and the runner's up in Pool A are pencilled in to face the winners of Pool B.
Australia and Wales are both locked on 13 pooints each in Pool A, with a Pool decider set for London on Saturday between the two unbeaten teams.
So we pose the question... Who would you prefer the Springboks to face in the quarterfinals?
Pool A
RANK TEAM P W L D PTS
1 Australia 3 3 0 0 13
2 Wales 3 3 0 0 13
3 England 3 1 2 0 6
4 Fiji 3 0 3 0 0
5 Uruguay 2 0 2 0 0
Pool B
RANK TEAM P W L D PTS
1 South Africa 3 2 1 0 11
2 Scotland 3 2 1 0 10
3 Japan 3 2 1 0 8
4 Samoa 3 1 2 0 4
5 USA 2 0 2 0 0
Pool C
RANK TEAM P W L D PTS
1 New Zealand 3 3 0 0 14
2 Argentina 3 2 1 0 10
3 Tonga 3 1 2 0 6
4 Georgia 3 1 2 0 4
5 Namibia 2 0 2 0 0
Pool D
RANK TEAM P W L D PTS
1 Ireland 3 3 0 0 14
2 France 3 3 0 0 14
3 Italy 3 1 2 0 5
4 Canada 3 0 3 0 1
5 Romania 2 0 2 0 0