PARIS : South Africa’s coaches debated long and hard in the week over team selection, changing their line-up at least three times before settling on the selection for Sunday’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final, assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said on the eve of the clash against France.
The defending champions surprised with their starting team for the knockout clash against the hosts, picking a new halfback pairing in Manie Libbok and Cobus Reinach and drafting in the 37-year-old Duane Vermeulen at the base of the scrum in place of the explosive Jasper Weise.
"As coaches we’re always honest with each other, we always debate the players and it’s always in the interest of the team." South Africa, however, can no longer count on putting away the penalty opportunities their forward power often creates with the usually ever-reliable Handre Pollard’s accuracy now confined to the bench - from the start, at least.
Freewheeling scrumhalf Reinach will add pace to South Africa’s play, and it is ironic that the Boks will be seeking to replicate some of the flair that France have been famous for while the home side hope to physically grind their way to victory on the back of a steely defence and powerful pack.
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