PARIS — South Africa named an unchanged 23 on Thursday for the Rugby World Cup semifinal towards England, a rematch of the title recreation in Japan 4 years in the past.
The defending champion Springboks stored Cobus Reinach at scrumhalf and Manie Libbok at flyhalf, with Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard set to return off the bench, as they did final weekend within the 29-28 quarterfinal win over host France.
Veteran No. 8 Duane Vermeulen begins once more behind the scrum at Stade de France on Saturday. Six gamers in South Africa’s 23, substitute Willie le Roux, heart Damian de Allende, Pollard and forwards Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth and Vermeulen performed in World Cup semifinals in 2015 and 2019.
“After we had our choice assembly, there have been a number of discussions however we felt everyone who performed final Sunday (towards France) had a correct efficiency so we determined to go for continuity,” Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber mentioned. “From a efficiency standpoint and from a medical standpoint, we noticed no purpose to alter.”
The Springboks are aiming to be the second staff to efficiently defend the Rugby World Cup after New Zealand went back-to-back in 2011 and 2015. New Zealand faces Argentina within the different semifinal on Friday.
South Africa’s thrilling win over the French moved it to No. 1 on this planet rankings. England is No. 5, making the Springboks clear favorites, though the English have countered doubts over their type and talent to be the one unbeaten staff left on the World Cup regardless of a poor run coming into the event.
“We aren’t foolish,” South Africa captain Siya Kolisi mentioned. “Our motivation doesn’t come from with out, it comes from inside. They may have their motives and so will we.”
South Africa’s Handre Pollard reacts after teammate Kurt-Lee Arendse kicked the ball out of play to finish the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal match between France and South Africa on the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, close to Paris, Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023. Credit score: AP/Themba Hadebe
South Africa has gained 4 of the 5 conferences with England on the Rugby World Cup, together with within the finals in 2007 and 2019. England beat the Springboks on the way in which to its solely World Cup title in 2003.
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South Africa: Damian Willemse, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Manie Libbok, Cobus Reinach; Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff. Reserves: Deon Fourie, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Faf de Klerk, Handre Pollard, Willie le Roux.
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