Rugby World Cup: Which teams will advance to the quarters?

Springboks captain Jean de Villiers stands shocked during his side's defeat to Japan. Photo / AP

Every team with the exception of Namibia have played a match at the Rugby World Cup, with three nations having played twice. It's very early days but here's a breakdown of how the pools are looking.

POOL A

As expected it's Wales, England and Australia who are leading the way. Each team has one victory with Wales holding top spot following their bonus point win over Uruguay. England also sit on five points with Australia third on four points. Fiji and Uruguay have yet to pick up a point.

Will things change?
England and Wales clash in one of the most anticipated games of pool play this weekend, which could well decide which team advances to the quarters. Australia should pick up five points against Uruguay and move to the top of the group if it's a close game at Twickenham.

Games in the next eight days:
Sunday, 8am - England v Wales. Twickenham
Monday, midnight - Australia v Uruguay, Villa Park
Friday, 4.45am - Fiji v Uruguay, Stadium MK

POOL B

Look at South Africa? Can you see them? Keep looking down. There they are in fourth place, just ahead of USA. Obviously they won't remain there but it's fun while it lasts. Scotland currently top the group following their second-half onslaught of Japan this morning. Japan would have been hoping for a bonus point but came away with nothing. Samoa sit in second after their win over USA.

Will things change?
No doubt. South Africa could very well move to the top of the table with a win in their next clash against Samoa. Scotland face USA next up and should make two from two before their toughest matches against South Africa and Samoa. The Japan upset over South Africa certainly makes things interesting but South Africa would still finish top with solid wins in their next three games. Japan must beat Samoa in their next game to keep their quarter-final hopes alive. There is a chance that a three-team combination of either South Africa, Samoa, Scotland and Japan all finish with three wins and one defeat, meaning bonus points or points differential could come into play.

Games in the next eight days:
Sunday, 4.45am - South Africa v Samoa, Villa Park
Monday, 2.30am - Scotland v USA, Elland Road

POOL C

As expected New Zealand sit on top but Argentina currently sit on the bottom with zero points, that should change tomorrow morning when Namibia suffer a heavy defeat in their opener. As it stands Georgia would be advancing to the quarter-finals but those hopes could well be dashed in their next encounter against Argentina.

Will things change?
This group will pretty much be decided this weekend, with an Argentina win over Georgia. Tonga were expected to be the third best team in this group but seem in disarray, meaning Argentina should win out from here.

Games in the next eight days:
Tomorrow, 7am - All Blacks v Namibia, Olympic Stadium
Saturday, 3.45am - Argentina v Georgia, Kingsholm
Wednesday, 4.45am - Tonga v Namibia, Sandy Park

POOL D

France, Ireland, Italy, Romania and Canada. Pretty much how you'd expect this pool to finish, maybe changing those bottom two teams. France sitting easy on the top after less than convincing wins over Italy and Romania. Ireland looked good against Canada but it's hard to gauge much out of that game. There were thoughts Italy could cause an upset in his pool but it didn't eventuate in their opener against France. Their next chance is against Ireland on October 5. But really the final pool game between France and Ireland in Cardiff will decide which team tops this group and which side faces the All Blacks in the quarters.

Will things change?
The top two won't change but which team finishes top is a coin toss at the moment. Ireland slight favourites.

Games in the next eight days:
Sunday 1.30am - Italy v Canada, Elland Road
Monday, 4.45am, Ireland v Romania, Wembley
Friday 8am, France v Canada