2023-09-23 07:50:01
The clash between Ireland and South Africa, scheduled for Saturday at the Stade de France, is one of the most anticipated confrontations in the group stage of this World Cup. It will see the two best teams in the world of the moment clash. The Springboks will rely on a very powerful team to try to defeat the Irish selection.
Published on: 09/23/2023 – 07:50
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The formula having proven itself in a preparation match against New Zealand, the South Africans chose to apply it again against Ireland, Saturday September 23 at the Stade de France. As during the historic rout inflicted on the All Blacks (35-7), they decided to place replacements on the bench, or “finishers” as modern usage dictates, seven forwards and only one three-quarter, the half melee Cobus Reinach.
This number 9, who is not at all a weakling with his 85 kilos, will therefore have the mission of replacing one of the seven players in the Springboks’ back lines during this meeting which will decide the hierarchy of Group B. And if several South African three-quarters were injured during this match, the forwards will then have to occupy an unusual position for them.
This tactical choice therefore carries certain risks for the South Africans, winners of the 2019 World Cup. But their coach has confidence in this method. “The reason we went for a 7-1 bench is because we believe that’s the best way to get a result. It worked well for that specific match (against the New Zealanders). , Editor’s note)”, explained Jacques Nienaber when announcing the composition.
Last November, the Springboks narrowly lost in Dublin (19-16) against Ireland. That day, the South Africans had six forwards and two backs on the bench. And Jacques Nienaber is impatient to see if the new formula gives a better result this time. “It will be a real test match. It’s number 1 against the world champion. It will be a clash between two experienced and serene teams, two very complete teams,” he declared.
“Clinical” Irish
The second row Jean Kleyn will be in the front row to follow this explosive duel since he is one of the seven South African forwards planned on the bench. He is preparing to experience a special encounter given that, during the previous World Cup, he defended the colors of Ireland. This thirty-year-old took advantage of a change in international eligibility rules to change teams and wear the jersey of his native country.
He knows the Ireland team very well and many of the players he has played with since 2016 in the Munster province. And he logically played a valuable role in the preparation for this crucial meeting. “They’re an incredibly clinical team, they tend to get into the details,” he said of the Irish.
The Irish laboratory actually had to operate at full capacity before this match to try to detect flaws in the South African strategy. The Clover XV experts have probably found some. But they know that to take advantage, the Irish selection will first have to be able to resist the aggressiveness and power of the opposing players.
“I think that if we match them in this area (of the physical challenge, editor’s note), we are very confident in what we can do in terms of attack,” explained third row Caelan Doris. A player of 1m93 and 106 kilos, who remembers being shocked by the size of the South Africans when he faced them in November.
Un duel Sexton-Libbok
Ireland did not enter the arms race, preferring to opt for a bench made up of five forwards and three backs. She will still field a very solid team, like the powerful pair of centers made up of Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose. Victorious in the Grand Slam this year in the Six Nations Tournament, the Irish selection loves physical combat and has formidable warriors to dominate the opponent.
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It also has in its ranks a very experienced number 10, Johnny Sexton, who is playing his fourth World Cup at the age of 38. He has just set a new record for points scored by a player in the Irish jersey. The influence of this metronome will be decisive against South Africa, led by Manie Libbok, a 26-year-old fly-half who has only 10 international caps compared to 115 for Sexton.
The three-quarters do not despair of also shining on Saturday in the Dionysian night, each team having arrows capable of setting the stadium and the match on fire. Provided of course that you have good balls to play with… Everything will depend on the ability of these two teams to maintain the same intensity throughout the match, despite fatigue and the brutality of the contacts. “We are ready for a tough battle,” said England coach Andy Farrell. And its outcome will make it possible to determine what was the best strategic choice for this duel.
With AFP
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