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Ever since World Rugby saw red on the umpires ‘ high tolerance threshold due to dangerous tackles in the first rounds of the world Cup, players have been getting their cards.

The governing body is unrepentant, adamant that its stance will force them and their coaches to focus on reducing and making the game safer.

The Springboks are confident their aggressive defence will stifle a team that struggled with Scotland counter-rucking last weekend.

Photos: the Best photos from the 2019 Rugby world Cup

The ninth Rugby world Cup takes place in Japan from 20 September to 2 November 2019. A total of 20 teams, including New Zealand, Japan, England, Australia and France, qualified. Here’s a look at some of the best photos from the tournament so far.

(pictured) Russian Vasily Dorofeev during a match in Kumagaya, September 24, with wanted with alapati Leiua from Samoa. 

On 24 September, the Russian “Kushnarev” scores from the penalty spot. 

Samoa’s Chris Wuyi is seen at the scrum on September 24. 

The Samoan team perform Siva Tau before the match on September 24. 

Wales ‘ Gareth Davies in action as they defeated Georgia 43-14 on 23 September.

England’s Billy Vunipola blasts through the Tongan defence during their match in Sapporo on 22 September. 

England’s Manu Tuilagi gestures after scoring his team’s second try against Tonga on 22 September. 

Tonga players perform their traditional SIPI Tau challenge before the match against England on December 22. 

Scotland’s Finn Russell grabs the ball during the match against Ireland in Yokohama on September 22.

Ireland’s Conor Murray is making a run for it on September 22.

A Scottish fan plays bagpipes to show support on 22 September.

Italy’s Maxim Mbanda gets tackled by Namibian lock Tjiuee Uanivi during a match in Osaka on September 22.

September 22 Italian Luca Morisi tries to force power through the Namibian defence.

The South African national team watch as the All Blacks perform their traditional Haka before their match in Yokohama, on September 21. 

New Zealander beauden Barrett (L) in action against South Africa on September 21.

Luján Am from South Africa 21 Sep slay the new Zealander Richie Mohune.

FAF de Klerk (K) against New Zealand on 21 September.

Photographers captured Haq’s performance on September 21.

The All Blacks perform the hack on September 21. 

New Zealand players perform Haka before the match on September 21.

French players applaud the fans after the victory over Argentina on September 21.

Frenchman Charles Ollivon celebrates with fans after winning the match against Argentina on September 21.

Argentina’s Pablo Matera is tackled during the group C game against France at Tokyo stadium on September 21.

Argentine fans cheer before the match on September 21.

Players in action during the game between Argentina and France on September 21.

Argentina players sing the national anthem before the match against France on September 21.

Marika Koroibete (C) of Australia is tackled by Semi Radradra and Waisea Nayacalevu of Fiji during the group D game at Sapporo Dome on September 21.

Fiji’s Peceli Yato scores a goal during the game against Australia on September 21.

Fiji and Australia players in action on September 21.

Australian fans enjoy the game against Fiji on September 21.

Fiji players perform Cibi before the match against Australia on September 21.

Fiji and Australia players line up for the national anthems before the game on September 21.

Japanese players bow out after winning their first pool match against Russia at a stadium in Tokyo on September 20. 

Japanese fans cheer during the match against Russia on September 20. 

Stanislav Selsky’s team will face Japan’s will Tupou on September 20.

Japan’s Michael Leitch in action during the opening match against Russia on September 20.

Japan and Russia line up before the match on September 20.

Before the match on September 20, members of the Japanese and Russian national teams pass the Webb Ellis Cup.

Fireworks during the opening ceremony at Tokyo stadium on September 20.

Drummer Taiko performs on September 20.

Children perform at the opening ceremony on September 20.

Dancers take part in the opening ceremony on September 20.

General view of the performers during the opening ceremony on September 20.

Former New Zealand captain Richie McCaw holds the Webb Ellis Cup aloft during a ceremony on September 20.

The blue Impulse aerobatic team will perform over the stadium on September 20.

Fans arrive for the opening match between Japan and Russia at Tokyo stadium on September 20.

People take selfies before the opening match on September 20.

Fans pose in front of the stadium on September 20.

World Rugby held a briefing on Tuesday to review the pool stage, much of it after being cancelled last weekend due to Typhoon Hagibis.

But the Blizzard of cards after the September 24 statement pushing for broader law enforcement decisions was eventually brought up.

Eight matches were played when eh was made, producing three yellow cards.

That makes up one match card and the message this week was there will be no hindrance in the playoffs.

The world Cup is over for Ireland Bundee Aki after his three-week ban for high decisions against Samoa if he calls and wins. It wasn’t intentional foul play, a player having just a split second to react, but his task was dangerous and reinforced the need for players to change their default position.

This will not happen overnight and makes it dangerous to predict the results of the quarter-final weekend.

Seven dismissals in 29 matches is almost one in four so, on average, one player will be sent off this weekend.

Referees involved in the last eight matches received three red cards. Two of them were flourished by Wayne Barnes, who takes charge of the Japan-South Africa match, and the other by Nigel Owens.

The high tackle box has been in operation since may, but it was not harshly enforced during the summer when only one player was sent off.

This meant that players and coaches were not encouraged to make radical changes. That has changed and Japan and New Zealand, who prefer to carry the ball than go to ground, should benefit.

It was noticeable that when Uruguay played Wales, their ball-carrying target fly-half Rhys Patchell, who has this tournament, tended to stand upright in a tackle after getting a knee to the head while trying to bring down CJ Stander in Dublin last month, resulting in his third concussion of the year. Were they looking less charge through it than to provoke a challenge that would be deemed dangerous and give them a numerical advantage?

The three quarter-finals mark a contrast in styles: a jet-setting New Zealand against a structured Ireland; South Wales against a chaotic France and a devilish Japan against a bruising South Africa.

The exception is England V Australia. The Wallabies resemble their opponents in that they own a multitude of pieces, strong in the maul and armed with bulldozing ball carriers storming the gainline.

Australia’s spontaneity once famously largely absent, as they showed in their failure to put Georgia away last week.

Eddie Jones would be put out by the postponement of last Saturday’s match against France, having planned carefully for the tournament.

England’s management team will have some even later nights this week to recalibrate and, like the French, the question of whether two weeks without a match will affect their sharpness.

Wales were slow starters after a 10-day break to face Fiji, having started their opening two matches strongly.

Michael Cheika spent much of the tournament pulling what was left of his hair in exasperation at the crackdown on dangerous issues, claiming at one point that everyone was up against the Wallabies.

Although after Scotland were charged with misconduct by World Rugby for accepting an exception to the possibility of their final pool match being overturned, the head coach was lucky enough to avoid the challenge of appearing before the disciplinary Committee after handing rip following Rhys Hodge’s citation and suspension for a high tackle against Fiji.

England look the better equipped side, but a team whose weakness has been reacting when a match starts turning against them have not been extended this tournament.

Australia must show authority at half-back and move the point of attack against opponents who might have played a territory game, but their performances so far suggest an early exit.

Another Oita quarter-final all-six Nations clash. Wales and France have not served until many memorable encounters in recent years and this promises to be no exception. Les Bleus, as has become the case at the world Cup, are reportedly at war with each other while their opponents live in harmony.

Two matches in Tokyo promise more. Ireland have won two of their last three internationals against New Zealand but the All Blacks, despite talk of not living in the past, have long memories.

They will be determined not only to reach the next stage but also to assert their superiority against a team coached by a canny kiwi, Joe Schmidt. It promises a lot.

Like the meeting between the hosts and the South African side that under Rassie Erasmus re-established their goals and grit in a surprisingly short time; it is a markedly different team in terms of attitude to the one that Japan beat in 2015. Fire vs. fury should be epic.

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