Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber has named his team for their Rugby World Cup quarter-final against France on Sunday.
an experienced team – including 15 players who featured in the 2019 final – for their Rugby World Cup quarter-final againstEight players in the starting lineup will run out in the same positions as they did in the memorable 2019 final victory against England: Siya Kolisi, who will again lead the team, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Bongi Mbonambi, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe.
The three backline players among the replacements are also very experienced, with a combined total of 209 caps between Faf de Klerk, Handre Pollard and Willie le Roux.In total, the starting team shows 12 changes to the side that defeated Tonga 49-18 in Marseille 13 days ago, one of which is the positional switch of Vermeulen from No 7 to his specialist role at the back of the scrum.
“We believe this group will offer us the impetus we need against a quality French side that will be playing in front of a passionate home crowd.“Most of these players have Rugby World Cup experience and several of them were involved in the 2019 final, so they know what it takes to perform in big moments.
“We’ve been working toward this World Cup since 2018 and now we can book a place in the semi-final, so we have to go out there and give everything. Replacements: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Willie le RouxPlayed 45; Won 27; Lost 12; Drawn 6. Points for: 965, Points against: 692. Tries scored 107, Tries conceded 61. Highest score 52-10; Biggest win 42 points. Average score: 21-15. Win % 60%.Eben Etzebeth will equal Tendai Mtawarira’s 117 Test caps, meaning they will share third place on the list of most-capped Springboks.
Eight players who will feature on Sunday, played against Samoa in 2015: Willie le Roux, Damian De Allende, Handre Pollard, Duane Vermeulen and Eben Etzebeth started, with Frans Malherbe, Siya Kolisi and Jesse Kriel on the bench.
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