{"id":296303,"date":"2023-10-19T18:27:52","date_gmt":"2023-10-19T18:27:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/?p=296303"},"modified":"2023-10-19T18:27:52","modified_gmt":"2023-10-19T18:27:52","slug":"south-africa-name-unchanged-side-england-world-cup-semi-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportstons.com\/rugby-union\/south-africa-name-unchanged-side-england-world-cup-semi-final\/","title":{"rendered":"South Africa name unchanged side England World Cup semi-final"},"content":{"rendered":"
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
‘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.<\/p>\n
‘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.’<\/p>\n
South Africa edged France 29-28 in a thrilling quarter-final on Sunday, marked by its physical intensity, but emerged without any injury concerns.<\/p>\n
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Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber\u00a0resisted any temptation to tinker with the team that so impressively prevailed against hosts France in the last round\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Damian de Allende was a constant thorn in France’s defence as he scored a brilliant try<\/p>\n
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Eben Etzebeth (left) scored the final try of the match as South Africa edged out France in Paris<\/p>\n
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Fifteen of the Springboks match day 23 played in the 2019 World Cup final against England<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Fifteen of the Springboks match day 23 played in the 2019 World Cup final, where they beat England 32-12 in Yokohama.<\/p>\n
‘This may not have much significance, but the fact remains that these players have been here before,’ added\u00a0Nienaber. ‘They know what it will take to defeat a top-quality team such as England.\u00a0<\/p>\n
‘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.\u00a0Tactically we know what is coming our way so we must make sure we execute our plans.’<\/p>\n
The winner will get the chance to contest this second straight World Cup final against\u00a0either Argentina or New Zealand at the Stade de France on Saturday October 28.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Starting XV<\/span><\/b><\/font><\/p>\n Damian Willemse\u00a0<\/p>\n Kurt-Lee Arendse<\/p>\n Jesse Kriel<\/p>\n Damian de Allende<\/p>\n Cheslin Kolbe<\/p>\n Manie Libbok<\/p>\n Cobus Reinach<\/p>\n Steven Kitshoff<\/p>\n Bongi Mbonambi<\/p>\n Frans Malherbe<\/p>\n Eben Etzebeth<\/p>\n Franco Mostert<\/p>\n Siya Kolisi<\/p>\n Pieter-Steph du Toit<\/p>\n Duane Vermeulen<\/p>\n <\/span>Replacements\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/span>Deon Fourie<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Ox Nche<\/p>\n Vincent Koch<\/p>\n RG Snyman<\/p>\n Kwagga Smith<\/p>\n Faf de Klerk<\/p>\n Handre Pollard<\/p>\n <\/span><\/span><\/span>Willie Le Roux<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n