Will the Boks go with the inventive Manie Libbok or the regular goal-kicker Handre Pollard in the essential No 10 place?
The Springboks have been capable of put their ft up and watch the majority of the Rugby World Cup motion this final weekend with out stress, however they are going to be firmly switched on from Monday once they kick off their preparations for the quarter-final conflict in opposition to France in Paris on Sunday.
Having loved a bye week, Jacques Nienaber’s males can be recent and rested forward of their biggest week of rugby in four years, since profitable the World Cup in Japan round this time in 2019.
It was at all times going to be hosts France or three-time winners New Zealand in the final eight for the Boks, and with the pool levels now performed, Nienaber and Co can absolutely concentrate on France, who’re probably favourites forward of the sport.
The Tricolours are on dwelling soil, they’ll have their very own followers behind them on Sunday they usually beat the Boks in their final assembly, 30-26 in Marseille in November final yr.
But, the Boks have had France’s quantity in their final eight conferences: they’ve received all the opposite seven Tests between them going again to 2010.
Dupont and Pollard
While the French followers can be on the sting of their seats this week, questioning whether or not talismanic captain and No 9 Antoine Dupont can be risked in the match, following his cheekbone surgical procedure of just some days in the past, Bok followers can be speculating concerning the facet Nienaber will push into motion in Saint-Denis at 9pm on Sunday.
The two large choices that may curiosity followers and the French staff are these of who’ll be the Boks’ flyhalf in the must-win match — Handre Pollard or Manie Libbok, and can Lukhanyo Am be a shock decide at No 13, having simply joined the squad as an harm substitute for Makazole Mapimpi?
The attack-minded Libbok has extra game-time behind him, and is extra settled in the staff, whereas Pollard has expertise and is probably a greater goal-kicker, whereas Am additionally brings expertise, however in Jesse Kriel the Boks have an equally seasoned man at No 13, whereas younger Canan Moodie, who’s performed outdoors centre in a couple of large sport already, brings X-factor.
Vermeulen
Also, will the skilled and cool-headed Duane Vermeulen edge Jasper Wiese, who’s began in the Boks’ large video games on the World Cup, for the No 8 jersey?
The Boks’ different large name can be on the way to cut up their replacements on the bench — will they go for the standard 5-3 cut up of forwards to backs, or favour six forwards and two backs, and in the event that they go this route, who will the important thing backline substitutes be?
The Boks certified for the last-eight by ending second in Pool B (behind Ireland) following wins in opposition to Scotland, Romania and Tonga, and a loss to Ireland, whereas France topped Pool A following four wins, in opposition to New Zealand, Uruguay, Namibia and Italy.
The matchday-23 is prone to be introduced on Tuesday night.
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