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MONTPELLIER - Tonga have the luxury of having two cracks at an unprecedented quarterfinal spot at the rugby World Cup but have vowed they won't hold back and will take on the second-string South Africans in Lens on Sunday (midnight NZT).
The Tongans, their confidence sky-high after wins
over United States and Samoa, are the underdogs against the pool A pacesetters, but the mood within the team is to go for an upset win over the Springboks rather than keep their powder dry for the remaining game with England on September 29.
The South Africans are fielding just four of the players who started the 36-0 rout of England in Paris last weekend and the Tongans are encouraged by the last outing of the Springbok `second-stringers.'
Before the tournament the Springboks fielded their `midweek' team against Connacht in Galway and just managed to squeeze out a 18-3 win against the Irish side.
Tonga, four points ahead of England, made four changes today to the starting 15 who beat Samoa 19-15 here last weekend.
Centre Epeli Taione said the Tongans felt they have a chance of causing a boilover against the fancied Springboks, who have not been fully tested by Samoa or England so far in the tournament.
"We are going to enjoy this game. If anything the pressure is on South Africa," Taione said.
"If you were a bookmaker you would probably put all your money on South Africa to win, but when we came here our realistic target was to beat United States and Samoa and we have achieved that.
"Now it's a matter of enjoying the game and we are here to win, there's no doubt about that.
"As players we always want to test ourselves against the best and we are looking forward to it.
"We are expecting to play a full professional side and that's what we are playing for, the challenge for ourselves as players is to perform against the best."
Assistant coach Ellis Meachen said there would be no instructions to the players to curb their aggressive play despite being on the end of a red card and two yellow cards against Samoa.
"We've addressed some problems there this week. But the Tonga-Samoa game was very special to us," he said.
"The fact that it was at the World Cup made it even more special and so therefore the intensity was at its highest.
"We won't be telling our players to back off, that's not the way the Tongans play rugby.
"We will be going out there to compete for every ball, whether it be on the ground or in the air, and I'm sure South Africa will be doing the same.
"The coach wants disciplined rugby in every game and there's no way we go out to play ill-disciplined rugby.
"We know that will not win us games in this tournament. What we have to do is control our natural aggression and channel it in the right direction."
Tonga lost 10-74 to South Africa in their only international in Cape Town in 1997.
Tonga
Vungakoto Lilo, Tevita Tu'ifua, Sukanaivalu Hufanga, Epeli Taione, Joseph Vaka, Pierre Hola, Sione Mone, Finau Maka, Nili Latu (captain), Viliami Vaki, Emosi Kauhenga, Paino Hehea, Kisi Pulu, Aleki Lutui, Soane Tonga'uiha.
Reserves: Ephraim Taukafa, Taufa'ao Filise, Inoke Afeaki, Lotu Filipine, Soane Havea, Kaiongo Tupou, 'Aisea Havili.
- AFP