In the final quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup, the hosts, currently second in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings, face the defending champions and the team they surpassed during this tournament. The stakes couldn’t be higher.
South Africa’s head coach, Jacques Nienaber, has opted to retain 13 of the 15 players who started against Ireland in round three.
The two changes are at scrum-half, where Cobus Reinach takes the field instead of Faf de Klerk, and at the number-eight position, with Duane Vermeulen replacing Jasper Wiese.
Boasting a staggering 880 caps among the starting XV, South Africa presents its second-most experienced test lineup ever. The majority of these caps belong to the starting pack, a formidable unit with 623 caps – more than any previous Springbok front eight. The bench also offers a wealth of experience.
France coach Fabien Galthié, meanwhile, has made just one alteration to his starting XV that comfortably dispatched Italy 60-7 in the previous match, with captain Antoine Dupont making a swift return just 24 days after fracturing his jaw against Namibia in Marseille.
History has favoured the Springboks in their encounters with France over 110 years of rugby clashes. They have clinched victory in 27 of the 45 matches played, including seven of the last eight. In contrast, France has secured 12 wins, and six matches have resulted in draws.
One of the most memorable matches between these two teams was the Rugby World Cup test run in Marseille in November 2022.
Pieter-Steph du Toit and Antoine Dupont were both sent off in a hard-fought battle, culminating in a thrilling come-from-behind victory for Les Bleus, who triumphed 30-26 thanks to a late try by prop Sipili Falatea and a last-gasp penalty by Thomas Ramos.
The spotlight for this game falls on Nienaber’s decision to start Manie Libbok at fly-half ahead of Handre Pollard, a move with potential consequences in what is expected to be a tightly contested match.
Libbok has exhibited a 55 per cent success rate with his goal kicks at RWC 2023, and his orchestrations have been a key driver behind the Springboks’ performance. Pollard, known for his consistency in RWC knock-out games, is tasked with bringing stability to the latter stages of the match.
A significant head-to-head battle in this match features Anthony Jelonch versus Siya Kolisi, two back-row players who suffered severe injuries just months ago and had uncertain paths to making the tournament.
Their presence on the field stands as a testament to their commitment, determination, and the extensive rehabilitation they undertook.
In terms of stats, France has been nearly invincible on home soil, losing just one of their last 28 matches, while Antoine Dupont has yet to lose a match as captain, and Maxime Lucu has been on the winning side in every test he has played.
The referee for this crucial match is Ben O’Keeffe from New Zealand, who has already officiated both South Africa and France in this Rugby World Cup.
His previous encounters include South Africa’s 13-8 loss to Ireland and France’s tough-fought win against Uruguay. O’Keeffe was also in charge when Les Bleus triumphed over England 53-10 at Twickenham in the 2023 Six Nations.
TEAMS
FRANCE
Thomas Ramos; Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Jonathan Danty, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Dupont (captain); Cyril Baille, Peato Mauvaka, Uini Atonio; Cameron Woki, Thibaud Flament; Anthony Jelonch, Charles Ollivon, Gregory Alldritt
Replacements
Pierre Bourgarit, Reda Wardi, Dorian Aldegheri, Romain Taofifenua, Francois Cros, Sekou Macalou, Maxime Lucu, Yoram Moefana
SOUTH AFRICA
Damian Willemse; Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe; Manie Libbok, Cobus Reinach; Steven Kitshoff, Mbongeni Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe; Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert; Siya Kolisi (captain), Pieter-Steph Du Toit, Duane Vermeulen
Replacements
Deon Fourie, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Faf de Klerk, Handre Pollard, Willie Le Roux.
Source: Rugby World Cup Website
