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South Africa name unchanged side for World Cup semi-final clash against England
By Josh Raisey
South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber has decided to stick to a winning formula and has named an unchanged squad to face England in the World Cup semi-final on Saturday at the Stade de France.
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The Springboks came away 29-28 winners against France in the quarter-finals in a game that has been heralded as one of the all-time greats. In light of that performance, Nienaber has named both the same starting XV and bench for only the second time in his tenure.
“We’ve been building a quality Rugby World Cup squad for the last few years so that we could be in this position going into the knockout matches,” said Nienaber.
“We have a squad of 33 players, all of whom are very closely matched in terms of their skill and quality of play which made it tempting to make changes this week and it was tough to select this group both last week and this week. But we feel it’s now time to go with the players in the squad who we believe are in their best form.”
Of the 23-player squad, 15 of them featured in the World Cup final victory over England four years ago, which came into Nienaber’s thinking when selecting the team.
He said: “This may not have much significance, but the fact remains that these players have been here before, and they know what it will take to defeat a top-quality team such as England.”
South Africa XV
15 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 37 caps, 56 pts (4t, 9c, 4p, 2d)
14 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 13 caps, 65 pts (13t)
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 66 caps, 75 pts (15t)
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 76 caps, 55 pts (11t)
11 – Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – 29 caps, 91 pts (14t, 3c, 5p)
10 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 13 caps, 84 pts (1t, 26c, 9p)
9 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 30 caps, 60 pts (12t)
8 – Duane Vermeulen (SA Rugby) – 74 caps, 15 pts (3t)
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 74 caps, 40 pts (8t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Racing 92) – 81 caps, 50 pts (10t)
5 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 71 caps, 15 pts (3t)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 117 caps, 30 pts (6t)
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 67 caps, 5pts (1t)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 66 caps, 65pts (13t)
1 – Steven Kitshoff (Ulster) – 81 caps, 10 pts (2t)
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Replacements
16 – Deon Fourie (DHL Stormers) – 11 caps, 10 pts (2t)
17 – Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 26 caps, 0 pts
18 – Vincent Koch (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 48 caps, 0pts
19 – RG Snyman (Munster) – 32 caps, 5pts (1t)
20 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 38 caps, 35 pts (7t)
21 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 53 caps, 48 pts (5t, 4c, 5p)
22 – Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – 68 caps, 678 pts (7T, 95C, 146P, 5D)
23 – Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 91 caps, 75 pts (15t)
I honestly thought there’d be more rotation of players. Particularly amongst the forwards.
Great team.
I agree the Boks, looking at 3 - 4 weeks, maybe had it more relaxed, but you cannot take away the bite from the QF. I feel one or 2 more backline okes should get the experience of a must win game before the final.. What about injuries? Can you expect a player to be ready to play in the final against NZ not having had any exposure to a QF or SF? Make no mistake I back every player, I just think there should be a look at prepping the entire squad for the ultimate showdown.
And these reserves like Moodie and Esterhuizen can do with the confidence boost.
Honestly as well, Willie wil, maar Willie kan nie meer nie. He is taking up space for someone else to shine.
would have given André Esterhuizen a go, but ok ….
While I dont always agree with those TAS videos, evidence is evidence. There was a lot of hits to the head on the Bok players during the French game. So people who criticize the HIA is alarming
Eng chances went from 20% down to 2.0% Boks had a bye in the 5th week of pool play, alot of the big guns sat out of the final Bok game aswell(week 4) so for some 1st choice players they had a 3 week gap till the 1/4 vs France- So they should be ok. Eng better hope for rain and cards.
Very surprised by this team selection. Would’ve preferred to Duane Vermeulen, DDA, Kriel and Kolbe rested. Game against French must have been absolutely sapping and can’t believe these guys have fully recovered, especially not Duane.
I just can’t understand the Willie thing he has been poor for a long time, and i’m not nocking him it is just a fact. If Pollard comes on move Liebbok to 15 this way you still have a play maker on the field and then select a Marko van Staden or Jasper Wiese that gives you two fresh loose forwards with Kwagga on the field for last 40min.
I wonder if Rassie intends to abuse the HIA process again to run a league style interchange in the second half? Or will that tactic be saved for the final?
They have too, if you look at the AB & Argies they also announced basically unchanged sides. It is now do or die you have to select your best all all times.
I’m confused, AF. How will this team possibly get up again?