South Africa name unchanged side from their thrilling win over France to take on England in the Rugby World Cup semi-final… picking 15 players who beat Owen Farrell and Co in the final four years ago

• South Africa beat the hosts by a single point at the Stade de France on Sunday
• Springboks will be looking for a repeat of their 2019 World Cup final heroics
• Latest Rugby World Cup 2023 news, including fixtures, live scores and results 
• Latest Rugby World Cup 2023 news, including fixtures, live scores and results

South Africa resisted any temptation to tinker with their team and ahve named the same side that eliminated host France in the Rugby World Cup for Saturday as semi-final against England.

It means coach Jacques Nienaber stays with a tried and tested squad with a total of 895 caps. It is the most experienced starting line-up the Springboks have ever fielded.

‘Competition for places in the team is very tight and the coaches had a few in depth discussions before finalising the team,’ he told a press conference.

‘But there were no medical issues. The guys who got selected deserve it. If you have continued selection, your chances of success are better. Continuity builds momentum and confidence within the group.’

South Africa edged France 29-28 in a thrilling quarter-final on Sunday, marked by its physical intensity, but emerged without any injury concerns.

Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber resisted any temptation to tinker with the team that so impressively prevailed against hosts France in the last round 

Damian de Allende was a constant thorn in France’s defence as he scored a brilliant try

Eben Etzebeth (left) scored the final try of the match as South Africa edged out France in Paris

Fifteen of the Springboks match day 23 played in the 2019 World Cup final against England

Nienaber’s side have tasted defeat just once in France, against a heavily-backed Ireland team, while England approach the tie off the back of last Sunday’s dominant quarter-final success against Fiji. 

Fifteen of the Springboks match day 23 played in the 2019 World Cup final, where they beat England 32-12 in Yokohama.

‘This may not have much significance, but the fact remains that these players have been here before,’ added Nienaber. ‘They know what it will take to defeat a top-quality team such as England. 

‘They’ve got a unique kicking game that they employ. They are comfortable not playing with the ball and they like to suffocate and strangle you. Tactically we know what is coming our way so we must make sure we execute our plans.’

The winner will get the chance to contest this second straight World Cup final against either Argentina or New Zealand at the Stade de France on Saturday October 28. 

South Africa squad for World Cup semi-final 

Starting XV

Damian Willemse 

Kurt-Lee Arendse

Jesse Kriel

Damian de Allende

Cheslin Kolbe

Manie Libbok

Cobus Reinach

Steven Kitshoff

Bongi Mbonambi

Frans Malherbe

Eben Etzebeth

Franco Mostert

Siya Kolisi

Pieter-Steph du Toit

Duane Vermeulen

Replacements 

Deon Fourie

Ox Nche

Vincent Koch

RG Snyman

Kwagga Smith

Faf de Klerk

Handre Pollard

Willie Le Roux

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