South Africa were first to declare their hand ahead of the quarter-finals with just one change to their starting XV as JP Pietersen returns to the wing after missing out on their meeting with the USA through injury.
With Bryan Habana having scored a hat-trick in that final pool match to tie the World Cup try scoring record with Jonah Lomu, while Lwazi Mvovo claimed the last of their 10 tries their head coach Heyneke Meyer admitted to feeling spoilt for choice.
Given the problems that have faced Wales in selection terms as a result of the relentless run of injury problems they have suffered, particularly among their backs, it almost seemed as if Meyer was eager to show that his squad is fit and raring to go in what will be the first of the weekend’s quarter-finals.
By contrast Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt had claimed that the most important thing about having topped their pool was the extra day it gave them ahead of their quarter-final and it is ever more clear how vital that might be.
They are looking like having to leave their selections as late as possible with Jonny Sexton and Keith Earls both battling to prove their fitness after missing training yesterday.
"Jonny did about a three-and-a-half kilometre run and he was reasonably confident doing that, so we will see how he goes on Friday,” Greg Feek, their assistant coach, said yesterday.
"Keith is being looked after a bit. It's not too bad and, again, we will see how he gets on on Friday. He's just a bit battered. It's just at this stage we want to do the best thing so we can have everyone fit and available.
"This week is quarter-final week and the players will want to train. It's just making sure they are organised and OK."
He admitted that the nature of tournament play means that a slightly different approach is required.
"It's do-or-die kind of stuff, so there might be some kind of allowances around a few things, especially with our medical staff and our strength and conditioning. They have a good feel on things too," said Feek.
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