Boks roll out the big guns for France: ‘It’s do-or-die’, says Nienaber

Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber is banking on his experienced players to see the team through in their Rugby World Cup final-eight clash against hosts France on Sunday night (9pm) in Paris.

Nienaber on Friday morning announced his team that will do battle on Sunday night; a side with some youthful talent, but made up mainly of hardcore grizzled warriors who’ve been there before and done it on the biggest stages in the rugby world.

Key picks

The biggest talking point in the starting lineup includes Duane Vermeulen at No 8 ahead of Jasper Wiese, scrumhalf Cobus Reinach switching places with Faf de Klerk and flyhalf Manie Libbok getting the nod instead of Handre Pollard, who’ll play off the bench.

Fifteen players from the matchday-23 featured in the 2019 World Cup final against England in Japan, while eight played in the World Cup match against Samoa in 2015.

Also, eight of Sunday’s starting XV started in the 32-12 victory over England four years ago: Siya Kolisi, who will captain the Boks again, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Vermeulen, Bongi Mbonambi, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe.

The 880 caps in the starting team is the second-most ever for the Boks; the most experienced team, with 891 combined caps, ran out against Samoa at Rugby World Cup in 2015.

Sunday’s starting pack is the most experienced ever fielded by the Boks sharing 623 caps. All eight have made a half century of Test appearances and average 78 caps per man.

‘We believe in this group’

“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,” said Nienaber.

“Twenty of these players were also in the match day squad that played France in Marseille last season, which was a good dress rehearsal for what we can expect from France and their supporters.”

Nienaber continued: “We’ve been working with most of these players since 2018 and we’ve been building a squad capable of defending our title.

“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.”

Game-plan

The Boks know that there’s no room for error; a loss will see them return home and relinquish their reign as world champions.

Nienaber’s team are tasked with knocking out the hosts, France, who are in peak form and playing in front of their own fans.

The Bok mentor has urged his players to be accurate in executing the game plan at the Stade de France on Sunday.

“It’s do-or-die in the tournament, so we have to be accurate in executing our game-plan and we have to capitalise on our opportunities because the margins will be small,” he said.

“It’s going to be a massive clash for the players and supporters and we’re really excited about the prospect.

“We’ve been working toward this World Cup since 2018 and we can now book a place in the semi-final, so we have to go out there and give everything,” Nienaber said.

Bok team: Damian Willemse, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Manie Libbok, Cobus Reinach, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (capt), Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff. Bench: Deon Fourie, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Faf de Klerk, Handre Pollard, Willie le Roux