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- Versatile Springbok prop Vincent Koch says they've trained enough to be sharp for any quarter-final eventuality.
- The Boks are awaiting the outcome of Saturday night's Celtic clash between Scotland and Ireland to see whether they'll progress to the playoffs.
- The Springboks were off this week, but put in three days of training.
- For more Rugby World Cup news, please visit News24’s Rugby World Cup zone.
In Toulon
Versatile Springbok prop Vincent Koch said their training sharpness this week will come in handy in the event where they qualify for the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
The Springboks are on top of Pool B with 15 points from their completed four matches, but they have to wait on the outcome of Saturday night's Celtic clash between Scotland and Ireland at the Stade de France in Paris to know when and who they'll be playing.
If the Boks finish first in Pool B, they'll face the All Blacks at the Stade de France next Saturday, and if they finish second, they'll have the unenviable task of tackling France next Sunday.
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The Boks were on a bye week this week, with the players spending their off-days with their families and some taking trips to Toulon and Cassis' lovely beaches. Les Sablettes also proved a quiet enough suburb for them to blend in, even though the locals have been sharp-eyed enough to recognise them.
While the rest was important for them to keep their minds away from the game, Koch said it was also necessary to stay switched on.
"We've been training as if we're going to the quarter-finals, so it's been a great week for us," Koch said.
"Our main focus is on the quarter-finals, but I don't think the wait is tense because we've done what's necessary from our side to play a quarter-final.
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"Whatever happens in that game is out of our hands, but we've prepped for a quarter-final. We're here to win the World Cup, we've got a plan and we're working hard to succeed at that plan.
"We're not going to sit around and wait for other teams to play, from where we then find out. We're prepping with the idea in mind to play."
"We've been sharp this week."
Koch has only featured in one Rugby World Cup game so far, getting a start in the No 3 jersey in last Sunday's 49-18 win over Tonga in Marseille.
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He was down to start against Romania in Bordeaux on 17 September, but a twinge in his knee just before kick-off was enough to force a late replacement.
Starts for Koch have been few and far between as he's had to contend with the excellence of Frans Malherbe and Trevor Nyakane.
When they come, they are treasured and cherished.
"It was very disappointing, especially if you wait four years for a start," Koch said.
"However, I think we made the right decision, and it was between me and coach Rassie who made the decision not to play.
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"Finally getting a chance against Tonga was unbelievable because it remains a massive honour representing the country and I'm grateful for the chance of starting."
Koch also had a strange assist in Canan Moodie's try, where Handre Pollard's pass bounced off his head and went forward.
He expected play to be stopped for a knock-on, but the referee waved play on, from where Moodie picked up the ball and raced to score under the poles.
Koch, ever the joker who carries a permanent grin, saw the lighter side of his try assist and the different skills prop forwards bring to the game.
"It was planned," Koch joked.
"It was one of those things that happen in the game, and I was quite surprised that the referee actually played on.
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"Sometimes you think they'd pull it back, but it was fair play to Canan, who was awake and picked up the ball to score.
"It wasn't planned, but it was one of those things that happen in a game ... it's always nice to see props assisting with tries, but not with hands or feet, but other body parts.
"It's a highlight for props."
Koch though admitted they were far from the perfect brand in the pool stages, but had bright moments that will be encouraging for them in the event they get to the playoffs.
"In certain games, we showed what we could do and there are a few things we need to fix," Koch said.
"We have to be 100 percent on point, and we've learned there are a few things we still need to fix in the event of us going to the quarterfinals.
"We got a very positive feeling from the pool stages, we know where our strengths are and what we need to work on."
