Same Bok 23 will be up for England challenge, promises Du Toit

Springboks flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit says the Boks still have plenty in their tank to give it their all against England in their Rugby World Cup semi-final battle on Saturday night at the Stade de France.

The world champions were involved in a gruelling quarter-final clash against hosts France last weekend, ultimately emerging as the winners from the match, taking the honours 29-28.

The game has been hailed as one of the greatest rugby matches ever played, but also one of the most draining and demanding.

And now the same 23 players who were involved on Sunday will have to step up again on Saturday in the semi-final against England, because coach Jacques Nienaber has picked an unchanged team from last week.

‘Inspiration’

Like his coach, Du Toit feels his teammates will be up for the challenge and physicality of the match on Saturday, despite having played the game of their lives against France.

“Playing for your country, especially South Africa, there’s always a lot of support. The coaches showed us all the videos and messages on social media … it’s actually quite wonderful. So, we take a lot of inspiration from that.

“And you never know when it might be your last match for the Springboks as well, especially in a Rugby World Cup. I don’t think a lot of us will experience it again, so to get up for this match is something that happens by itself,” Du Toit told the media.

The semi-final with England won’t be a walk in the park, as the 2003 World Cup winners are out to avenge their 2019 final loss to the Boks in the Japanese edition four years ago.

England team

Du Toit, who won the 2019 World Rugby Player of the Year award, says the Boks have noted the selections that England have made in their team for Saturday.

“If you look at the team they have picked, it’s quite a physical team. I read in the news as well they are going to try and take us on in our set phases, the scrum and the mauls. We’ve seen some stuff how they defend as well,” he said.