Rugby World Cup qualifying for New Zealand 2011 is well underway and nearing a climax in both Africa and Oceania, where eight teams are in action over the weekend.
The developing sides from both regions are vying to book their places in Pool D in the World Cup alongside defending champions South Africa, Wales and Fiji.
In Africa, the Ivory Coast travel to Windhoek to take on Namibia with the two sides locked at 13-13 after the first home-and-away leg in Abidjan. The Ivorians twice fought from behind to claim the very creditable draw two weeks ago.
The aggregate winner of that tie in the South will proceed to the final of the Africa Cup, and African World Cup qualifying, against either Tunisia or Uganda.
Tunisia put themselves firmly in the driving seat in the first match by beating Chester Williams' Ugandan Cranes 41-17 in Kampala, and take a 24-point buffer into their second semi final leg on home soil this weekend.
The winner of the final will qualify directly for the World Cup as Africa 1, while the loser will proceed to the cross-continental repechage for the final place.
Samoa loom large in Oceania
In Oceania, Fiji and Tonga are already assured of their places after both finished in the top three in their 2007 tournament pools, but Samoa do have to qualify.
The Samoans are currently impressing in the ANZ Pacific Nations Cup and will play the winners of the Oceania Cup next month over two legs for a place in the World Cup.
This weekend Vanuatu take on Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby and the Cook Islands play Niue at the Growers Stadium, Pukekohe in the Oceania Cup semi finals.
The two victors will play on 4 July and the winner of that match will go on to play the Samoans over two home-and-away ties on 11 and 18 July for a place in the World Cup.
2011: Pool by pool
In the other three pools for the 2011 tournament, New Zealand, France and Tonga are drawn in Pool A and will be joined by the winners of American qualifying - either Canada, USA or Uruguay - and next year's Asian Five Nations champions.
Argentina, England and Scotland line up in Pool B, to be joined by the winners of European qualifying (the winners of the 2008-10 European Nations Cup) and the cross-continental play-off winner.
Australia, Ireland and Italy are in Pool C and face the runners-up in both European and American qualifying.
