2023-10-13 09:56:40
We now know what awaits the Blues. This Thursday morning, South Africa coach Jacques Nienaber revealed the composition of the team which will play in the quarter-final against France on Sunday at the Stade de France. And little surprise, he decided to bet on a hinge composed of Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok. Faf de Klerk and Handré Pollard will take their place on the bench where, for once, there will be three backs.
Several well-known names from the Top 14 will be present on the pitch. Cheslin Kolbe, although less dashing than during the previous World Cup, will be aligned on the wing, while former Toulon player Eben Etzebeth will bring muscle to the second line. For the rest, it is a relatively classic composition on the part of the Springboks, who will rely on their executives. Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Bongi Mbonambi and Duane Vermeulen will start the game. Note also the absence of the powerful Jasper Wiese at number 8.
“We chose the group that can perhaps exploit France’s weaknesses,” Nienaber said. We have confidence in Manie (Libbok) for penalties. Certainly Handre (Pollard) returned, but Manie also did 100% against Tonga. Anyone can fail one day. But in the quarter-final, we will have to score and seize the opportunities. »
“The World Cup is a long competition,” he added to justify the rotation of his squad. In 2019, we did more or less the same thing. After the first match against New Zealand, we made a lot of changes. It worked for us. We have to manage the load for the players. We come out of the Rugby Championship, then two preparation matches. Our season has already lasted ten games. We rotated our group, we do it with one objective, the elimination phase. »
Reigning world champions, the South Africans hope to lift for the second consecutive time – and for the fourth time in their history – the William-Webb Ellis trophy. To do this, we will have to beat France, who won their last clash in Marseille last November. A highly anticipated and probably very tough match which will take place at the Stade de France this Sunday at 9 p.m.
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