Springboks must maintain perfect record to secure Nations Championship final place

The Springboks head into Friday night’s meeting with France at Stade de France in control of their Nations Championship destiny, but the Southern Hemisphere race remains finely balanced with no room for error.

South Africa moved to the top of the standings after a comprehensive victory over Italy in Turin on Saturday, having already collected valuable Championship points earlier in the competition. Morne van den Berg was again outstanding for the Springboks in the match at Allianz Stadium.

The inaugural Nations Championship will culminate in a final between the winners of the Southern Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere groups. Only one team from each conference can reach that showpiece fixture.

The Springboks and New Zealand are level on 20 points after both sides recorded four bonus-point victories. South Africa currently occupy first place because their points difference is 67 points better than that of the All Blacks.

How South Africa can reach the final

Two further bonus-point victories, against France and Ireland, should be enough to send Rassie Erasmus’ side into the final against the leading team from the Northern Hemisphere group.

New Zealand have a less demanding schedule on paper, with Wales and England standing between them and a possible place in the final. If South Africa lose either of their remaining matches while the All Blacks win both, New Zealand will advance instead.

The All Blacks will also see their meeting with Wales as an opportunity to improve their points difference and reduce the gap to South Africa. Their fixture against England next week is expected to provide the greater challenge.

France, England and Ireland remain in contention

The Northern Hemisphere standings have developed into a three-way contest involving France, England and Ireland.

France lead the group and control their own route to the final. Fabien Galthie’s team are two points ahead of both England and Ireland, and can secure their place with two victories and one bonus point.

A win against South Africa in Paris on Friday, followed by victory over Argentina in their final match, would leave the chasing sides under pressure.

If France are beaten by the Springboks, Ireland could move above them before the final round by defeating Fiji.

England, meanwhile, have a superior points difference to Ireland. They can take top spot if France lose to South Africa and England defeat Fiji while claiming a bonus point.

The final Nations Championship fixtures will therefore not be confirmed this weekend. The line-up for finals weekend will only be settled once next week’s last round of round-robin matches has been completed.