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Tonga talking tough

Nili Latu on the charge against Samoa

Tongan captain Nili Latu is convinced his team can produce another giant killing act when they go head-to-head with one of the tournament favourites, South Africa, in a World Cup Pool A match in Lens on Saturday.

The Tongans are currently riding a wave of optimism after opening their World Cup campaign with back-to-back victories over the United States (25-15) and Pacific rivals Samoa (19-15).

It was the latter of the two wins, in Montpellier last Sunday, that gave the Tongans the belief that they can fry even bigger fish.

The manner in which they "celebrated" their win over Samoa said as much about their approach to the tournament as their belief in their own ability.

After the win in Montpellier the Tongans gathered around the team bus parked next to Stade de la Mosson and, much to the delight of locals, broke into song.

According to their captain, Latu, this is what the team is all about.

"Where there's life there's hope. This team is still alive and well," Latu told NZPA.

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

The Springboks share the same two-from-two winning record as Tonga.

However, based on their 59-7 demolition of Samoa - and despite the fact that they have made 13 changes to their team and fielding all their fringe players - South Africa remain strong favourites to maintain their unbeaten run at the tournament.

Pundits believe that for Tonga, a more realistic path to the quarter-finals is by beating England in the pool's final match in Paris on September 28.

That would render redundant the result of the England versus Samoa match in Nantes on Sunday - effectively eliminating both those teams.

However, the encounter with South Africa could see Tonga realise one of their other pre-World Cup goals - a top 10 spot on the International Rugby Board (IRB) world rankings.

Tonga have already moved past Samoa, into 12th place - which equals their best ever standing in the rankings.

"One of our goals is to break into the top 10-ranked teams in the world," the Tongan captain told NZPA.

"That was probably our number one target. A draw or a win against South Africa would crack it," he said.

"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."