France's opening Rugby World Cup win against New Zealand has heightened the importance of topping Pool B for both Ireland and South Africa, according to BJ Botha and James Downey.
With Pools A and B paired off with each other for the quarter-finals of the tournament, Ireland have known for some time that they're more than likely to face one of France or the All Blacks in the last eight of the competition, should they reach that stage.
Prior to this summer, it was difficult to call which potential quarter-finalist Ireland would prefer to face, however the manner of France's 27-13 victory over New Zealand has made the All Blacks the preferred option for both Ireland and South Africa.
"It's the lesser of two evils to take, New Zealand ahead of France," James Downey said on the RTÉ Rugby World Cup podcast.
"It's not the All Blacks side that we would have known from a couple of years ago, they do not have that invincibility around them, and that's where South Africa and Ireland would say they prefer it, especially with the French at home in front of that crowd.
"They didn't play particularly well but still managed to win. It's a big case for both teams really going for it.
"It's all permutations of whoever won, who we would prefer to take, but I'm sure both teams would be looking to get one over.
"Ireland will certainly prefer to play New Zealand because they hold no fears of them. There's a lot of water to go under the bridge first."
How do you stop the Springboks' defence?
The importance of avoiding France in the quarters has added another layer to an already gripping contest between Ireland and the Springboks, who started their campaign with an impressive 18-3 win against Scotland.
Former Munster and Ulster prop BJ Botha, who was part of the 2007 World Cup-winning Springbok squad, says while South Africa are hitting top form at just the right time, there will be no complacency from the world champions ahead of that game on 23 September in Paris.
"There's a big wariness and huge respect," Botha told the podcast.
"This started from the Irish provinces involved in the URC. South Africa, first and foremost have loved the URC and have seen how the provinces have done well; Leinster, Ulster and now specifically the Stormers being beaten by Munster.
"It's really put a big scope on that. Ireland are a team we have struggled with on tours specifically, a side we haven't managed to get over. They've got huge respect for them and see them, definitely, as the biggest obstacle going forward. There's no doubt."
In Ireland's 82-8 win against Romania, Andy Farrell played 22-year-old Joe McCarthy in the second row, which allowed him to play Tadhg Beirne in the back row and add some extra bulk to his forward pack.
Many believed it was a trial run for a similar selection against South Africa where power will be at a premium, but Botha believes it would be a big risk to throw McCarthy in from the start against the Boks.
"To put it into context, it's Romania. He played well and put up his hand but he's still a really inexperienced player at international level, so that's my one concern going into the games. I've got questions around that.
"I think they'll put him into the Tonga selection, and make a decision post-that. It's great to have someone performing at a World Cup and knocking on that door, that's the most important thing from a depth perspective.
"Going forward, do you put Tadhg Beirne at back row and bring him [McCarthy] into the second row? I'm not too sure about that. I think in the bigger games the experience will tell."
If McCarthy is too inexperienced, Farrell could also bring Iain Henderson in at lock which would allow Brien to start in the back row.
However, Botha thinks Ireland's traditional selection of Ryan and Beirne in the second row, with a back row of O'Mahony, Van der Flier and Doris, would be better suited to take on the world champions.
"That's the side that's more settled, they're definitely a lot more threatening and I think, what comes off the bench, we haven't spoken about the bench and what the South Africans are going to bring.
"South Africa would prefer to face a more unsettled pack, with Joe McCarthy and these guys, inexperienced, in the pack."
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