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PARIS - World Cup quarter-finalists South Africa could afford another experiment with their second string in their last Pool A match against the US but will be wary of the mistakes that nearly cost them dearly against Tonga.
Coach Jake White started Saturday's match at Lens with a reserve side but had to call his big name players off the bench and even with them the Springboks only just beat a fine Tonga side 30-25 to win the pool.
What should be an easy match against the weakest team in the pool at Montpellier next weekend, however, may not be the moment for South Africa to give their reserves more World Cup experience with the demands of a quarter-final, most likely against Wales, around the next corner.
"I think we probably brought the wrong game plan into the game and we gave (Tonga) a bit off a sniff," said back row forward Bobby Skinstad, a veteran of the 1999 World Cup and captain for the day.
"They're an outstanding rugby team as you saw and they played all the way to the 80th minute. To be honest, we were lucky to get five points today," he told reporters in Lens referring to their four-try bonus.
White justified his team selection but in light of the result he will likely want to settle his first 15, impressive in their 36-0 rout of England eight days ago, in the US game.
"I was always going to give the boys a chance in week three, otherwise it would be a game every Saturday for the same team," said White of his 13 changes from the England match.
England, with Jonny Wilkinson back in their side, were much improved in a 44-22 win over Samoa in Nantes on Saturday and face Tonga for second place in the pool next weekend.
"It's going to be a big test match. With guys like Jonny and Olly Barkley back, two guys who think tactically, and one or two other changes England have made, we'll see a different English team than before," White said.
"They're still the world champions until October 20 and I don't think they'll die lying down.
"Tonga are a second level team and aren't as professional. My money will be on England, but it is a World Cup and as you saw today (Saturday) if you relax and think you will win already, you could be in for a surprise."
- REUTERS
