If you compare South Africa’s class of 2023 to the side which won the last World Cup in Japan, there is a good argument to say it has more strings to its bow and is more dangerous in an attacking sense.
But as the Springboks prepare for a huge test of their title defence in a crunch quarter-final with France in Paris on Sunday night, they have vowed not to go away from what has given them success.
Physical dominance over the opposition and winning the collisions is at the heart of South Africa’s DNA. It is their intention to try to beat Fabien Galthie’s side to smithereens.
‘We’re going to have to go to a dark place quite early in this game because of where the physicality is going to be and where we’re going to try to push it,’ said Springbok prop Steven Kitshoff.
‘It might get to a point where some players haven’t been and we will see if both teams are willing to go to that dark spot quite early. We try and make it as physical as possible.
Steven Kitshoff says South Africa will ‘bring a lot of physicality’ when they face France
South Africa caused a surprise by naming Cobus Reinach (above) at scrum half over Faf de Klerk
‘We know France are going to bring a lot of physicality. It’s going to be quite interesting.’
As warnings go, it couldn’t have been starker.‘You live for these moments,’ said South Africa wing Cheslin Kolbe, looking ahead to the France game after being named in a Springbok side which includes Cobus Reinach and Duane Vermeulen. Jacques Nienaber and Rassie Erasmus caused a surprise by naming Reinach at scrum-half over Faf de Klerk and picking veteran Vermeulen at No 8. Leicester’s Jasper Wiese misses out.
Personnel aside, South Africa aren’t going to change their approach even if they have opted for five forwards and three backs on the bench. That is the standard practice, but recently head coach Nienaber has more frequently opted for six forwards and even, on occasion, seven.
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi says that it’s important that his team play on the edge
South Africa will have to work hard to silence what is likely to be a very loud France crowd
‘We do play physically and we do play on the edge, but we train to tackle correctly and stay onside,’ said South Africa’s iconic captain Siya Kolisi.‘We can’t be worried about doing something crazy. We have to live on the edge. That is what our game is as a South African team – to play as hard as we can for 80 minutes.
‘People enjoy rugby because it’s brutal. We need to go forward so our backs can do their thing.
’The last of the four World Cup quarter-finals is near impossible to call. France haven’t lost at home in two years and as hosts, they will be backed by a fervent Paris crowd.
South Africa have prepared for what is expected to be a raucous occasion by training with a speaker blaring out noise to replicate the Stade de France atmosphere.‘ When we last faced France in Marseille we couldn’t even hear each other and we’ve learned from that,’ said Kolisi.
‘It is very loud and the French fans are really passionate. It is difficult having a speaker next to you when you are trying to make a call in training but hopefully it will help us.’ South Africa’s starting side for France is the second most experienced to take to the field in their rugby history and contains 880 Test caps.
It is, undoubtedly, a team capable of victory. Springbok chances may well depend on how Manie Libbok performs at No 10 after he was selected over Handre Pollard. Libbok’s missed kicks cost his team victory against Ireland. But Nienaber likes his attacking game.
‘The big thing was Handre being out for 19 or 20 weeks before the World Cup – that was unfortunate,’ said Nienaber.
‘If he hadn’t got injured, we might have looked at it a bit differently and he probably would have been in the squad from the start because he’s a quality rugby player.
South Africa’s chances of success may well depend on how Manie Libbok performs at No 10
‘With Manie, if you look at the way he drives the team, he is obviously on form. We score points with Manie at 10. Looking at what the French will bring, we feel this is the best option for us.’
South Africa were brutally physical against Ireland yet it still wasn’t enough for victory. One of the things that characterised that game was the intensity of the contact area but also the players from both sides staying within the laws. Neither team received a card.
Kitshoff acknowledged a yellow or red for either side is likely to have a hugely significant outcome on Sunday’s encounter. It promises to be fire and brimstone stuff.‘It’s extremely crucial,’ Kitshoff said.
‘For us, it’s been one of the big focus points – making sure our discipline is right, our tackle heights are spot on and the way we hit the breakdowns and collisions is right so we avoid a card or a foul play penalty. Especially when it comes to the knock-outs, getting your tackle technique right is going to be a key difference in close games.
‘If you concede a penalty and yellow card, you give the opposition an opportunity to enter your 22 or kick at goal. Big games like this normally end in small margins on the scoreboard. ‘We have to do everything we can to get the result in our favour.’
France vs South Africa – 3 head-to-head battles
Antoine Dupont vs Cobus Reinach
Just over three weeks ago, Dupont had cheekbone surgery. Now, he is back fit and ready to lead France in a huge encounter. Dupont will wear a scrum cap to protect him on his surgeon’s advice.
There can be no doubt his return is huge for France given his status as unquestionably the No 1 player on the planet. What is a surprise is who Dupont will face as his scrum-half rival. Reinach will start at No 9 for the Springboks in place of Faf de Klerk. It is a big call.
South Africa have said Reinach has been picked to counter France’s kicking game but he is also a running threat and has been a regular try scorer throughout his career.
The return of Antoine Dupont (L) is huge for France and he will take on Cobus Reinach (R)
Jonathan Danty vs Damian de Allende
What a monster midfield match-up this is! Danty and De Allende are the epitome of the modern-day centre – monstrous, hulking figures who thrive on physicality. Both are key to getting their sides over the advantage line.
Physicality, of course, is South Africa’s modus operandi but France are not afraid to put it about themselves and Danty is key to that. His partnership with Gael Fickou is crucial to how the French operate, especially in defence. If they can get the better of De Allende and Jesse Kriel, they will be able to give flying wings Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey space to roam.
Jonathan Danty (left) will face Damian de Allende (r) in a monster midfield match-up
Gregory Alldritt vs Duane Vermeulen
Alldritt is a brilliant player but outside of France, I’m not sure he gets the recognition he deserves. The No 8 is incredibly powerful but does a lot of unseen work. He has been a key part of the success enjoyed not only by France, but also his club side La Rochelle.
Alldritt is only 26 so there is still potential for him to improve yet further. South Africa’s Duane Vermeulen, 37, is at the end of his career but has earned selection for France ahead of Jasper Wiese. It is the other big call made by the Springboks. Will youth or experience prevail at the back of the scrum?
Gregory Alldritt (left) does lots of unseen work for France and is up against Duane Vermeulen (R)
France: Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Dupont (capt); Baille, Mauvaka, Atonio, Woki, Flament, Jelonch, Ollivon, AlldrittReplacements: Bourgarit, Wardi, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Cros, Macalou, Lucu, Moefana
South Africa: Willemse; Arendse, Kriel, De Allende, Kolbe; Libbok, Reinach; Kitshoff, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, VermeulenReplacements: Fourie, Nche, Koch, Snyman, Smith, De Klerk, Pollard, Le Roux
Kick-off: 8pm Sunday – Stade de France, Paris. Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand) TV: ITV
