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- SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said they're happy to be in a position to watch the permutations in Pool B play out having completed their programme.
- The Springboks concluded their Pool B games when they beat Tonga 49-18 in Marseille on Sunday night.
- Pool B will be decided when Ireland play Scotland in Paris on Saturday in a game that has the highest of stakes.
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In Toulon
SA Rugby director of rugby Rassie Erasmus said the Springboks may be at the mercy of the outcome of the Scotland/Ireland Pool B game from a quarter-final qualification perspective, but it's a better position to be in than worrying about having an off day that could lead to elimination.
The Boks completed their Pool B programme with a 49-18 win against Tonga in Marseille on Sunday, leaving them with 15 points from four games after other wins against Scotland (18-3) and Romania (76-0) also set them up well.
The Boks' 13-8 loss to Ireland in Paris on 23 September set them back a bit, but the losing bonus point they accrued in the loss may come in handy.
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The permutations are listed here, but Erasmus said they can afford to sleep easier knowing they've done their bit to qualify.
"With full humbleness, and there is no arrogance saying this, but I'd rather sit here than be Ireland knowing that we've been number one in the world all the time and Scotland basically just have to beat them by eight points, and they are out of the tournament," Erasmus said.
"The score could be 22-12 or 22-13 and Ireland are out of the competition if they don't get a bonus point.
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"Of the three teams, we are probably the most comfortable sitting here knowing we have a two-week rest.
"Look, maybe we have got six months' rest if the cards don't fall our way. We have got two weeks off where we can analyse all three teams that we can possibly play."
The quarter-finals between the runners-up and winners of Pool A and B take place on Saturday (14 October) and Sunday (15 October).
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Springbok assistant coach Deon Davids was far more philosophical about what they needed to do, saying the defending champions would prepare for whatever outcome Pool A's conclusion will deal them.
New Zealand, second on 10 points, face Uruguay on Thursday, while the French, who lead the pool on 13 points, take on Six Nations peers Italy (also on 10 points) on Friday.
"We have done what we had to do in order to put ourselves in a position to go through," Davids said.
"We have time now to prepare, as we always do, for different scenarios. Some of us will prepare with an eye on finishing first, but we will have to prepare for France if we finish second.
"In the scenarios now, it might be France as France and Italy still have to play, which is always an interesting battle.
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"We also have to have some guys preparing in case we have to play Italy, so it's making sure we cover all our bases."
It is possible the top three teams finish level in Pool A, which would favour New Zealand to go through on points difference, and Italy to advance past France on head-to-head.
Any sort of win for Italy over France should be enough, unless the latter pick up two bonus points (one for losing by seven points and the other for scoring four tries).
The most likely scenario is New Zealand beat Uruguay on Thursday and finish second, with France defeating Italy a day later to top the pool. A draw would also be good enough for the hosts.
Erasmus agreed with Davids on the fact that the Six Nations clashes in Pool A and B have nervous elements attached to them, even though Italy were belted 96-17 by New Zealand last week.
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"I always thought the Ireland-Scotland game was going to be nervy, just like the France-Italy game will be nervy," Erasmus said.
"I know everybody writes off Italy and, though Italy is not used to playing against southern hemisphere teams, they are used to playing against northern hemisphere teams.
"There are going to be some interesting permutations still in the rest of this World Cup."
