Numbers keep stacking up against Tier Two nations

Rassie Erasmus isn't a man for one kind word when a few dozen can be spread lavishly, like honey on toast.

The South African head coach was all too happy to shower Ireland with praise earlier on in the pool stage when it appeared as if the Six Nations side, and not Japan, would provide their opposition in the last eight. And he waxed lyrical about both nations, as well as Scotland, when looking forward to the quarter-final stages earlier this week.

This is what Rassie does. He delivers praise and disarms everyone with that big smile of his. He was just as effusive about Canada – yes, Canada – before South Africa faced them in Kobe. He spoke of the Canadians as if they were souped-up Mounties coming down from the Rocky Mountains with a menu of springbok in the crosshairs.