The 'Ikale Tahi has made a few changes to its starting line up to face a Springbok team that has been dubbed as the "second-stringers".

'Aleki Lutui returns as a hooker at No. 2, while Ephraim Taukafa is on the bench. Viliami Vaki is No. 6, Paino Hehea moves to No. 4 replacing 'Inoke Afeaki who is on the bench, and 'Emosi Kauhenga is at No. 5.

In the backline, No. 9 Sione Tu'ipulotu replaces 'Enele Taufa.

Privileged

The 'Ikale Tahi is privileged to have two chances of qualifying for the quarter final, and it has to win only one of these games to be in. Whatever is the outcome tonight, it still has to play England next Friday.

What Captain Nili Latu had to say about the up coming battle was, he told NZPA, "Where there's life there's hope. This team is still alive and well.

"I'm just so proud of the boys. We don't have much but we have each other.

"One of our goals is to break into the top 10-ranked teams in the world. That was probably our number one target. A draw or a win against South Africa would crack it.

"Just by turning up you have a chance.

"It's good to see the boys with smiles on their faces. Having fun and enjoying yourself is key. It enables you to do so much more."

The best

One of the other more experienced players in the team, 'Epeli Taione told AFP his feeling about the coming encounter with the Springboks.



"As players we always want to test ourselves against the best and we are looking forward to it.

"We are expecting to play a full professional side and that's what we are playing for, the challenge for ourselves as players is to perform against the best."

As the 'Ikale Tahi is trying to find the right combination to counter the South Africans, the Springboks are apparently taking things lightly. They have made 11 changes to their line-up that beat England 36-0. But just in case the 'Ikale might nip them on the head, some of their big guns are on call from the bench. On the Springboks bench for tonight are their captain John Smit, BJ Botha, Victor Matfield, Juan Smith, Bryan Habana, Frans Steyn and Percy Montgomery.

The Tongan team to meet the Springboks:

15 Vungakoto Lilo, 14 Tevita Tu'ifua, 13 Sukanaivalu Hufanga, 12 'Epeli Taione, 11 Joseph Vaka, 10 Pierre Hola, 9 Sione Tu'ipulotu, 8 Finau Maka, 7 Nili Latu (c), 6 Viliami Vaki, 5 'Emosi Kauhenga, 4 Paino Hehea, 3 Kisi Pulu, 2 'Aleki Lutui, 1 Soane Tonga'uiha.

On the bench are: 16 Ephraim Taukafa, 17 Taufa'ao Filise, 18 'Inoke Afeaki, 19 Lotu Filipine, 20 Soane Havea, 21 'Isileli Tupou, 22 'Aisea Havili.