RUGBY WORLD CUP: Springboks name team for final against All Blacks
October 26, 2023
Head coach Jacques Nienaber has named South Africa’s team for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand in France.
Scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and flyhalf Handre Pollard have been included in the starting XV. They were not in the starting XV for last week’s semi-final victory over England, but played as substitutes.
“This is an experienced team with several players who played in the last Rugby World Cup final and who know exactly what to expect at Stade de France on Saturday and what it will take to retain the title,” said Nienaber.
“The players who will be playing in their first World Cup final have also proven their worth as warriors throughout this campaign and they are all ready for this massive occasion.
“We have said many times that we pick teams for varying gameplans depending on the opponent and that we use all 23 players to try and achieve those goals.”
Loose forward Jasper Wiese, lock Jean Kleyn and prop Trevor Nyakane have been included among the substitutes. Prop Vincent Koch has been sidelined by injury.
“We’ve gone from a five-three bench split to a seven-one split to give us the best chance of being successful. We have plans in place to mitigate for injuries in the backline, but we’re excited about our plan and we embrace the risk,” added Nienaber.
“This a huge day for the entire squad –Â and the guys who played for us earlier in the season.
“As a coaching team we are proud of the contribution that every player in the larger squad made in getting us to the final to create this opportunity.
“We know we are in for a colossal battle. Every point and inch will count in this match and we know it will take another top-class effort to come out on top on Saturday.”
The Sprinboks are the reigning Rugby World Cup champions. They beat England in 2019’s final – and also won the title in 1995 and 2007. The All Blacks have also won the Rugby World Cup three times.
Starting XV:Â 15. Damian Willemse, 14. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13. Jesse Kriel, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Cheslin Kolbe, 10. Handre Pollard, 9. Faf de Klerk, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6. Siya Kolisi (captain), 5. Franco Mostert, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 1. Steven Kitshoff.
Substitutes:Â 16. Deon Fourie, 17. Ox Nche, 18. Trevor Nyakane, 19. Jean Kleyn, 20. RG Snyman, 21. Kwagga Smith, 22. Jasper Wiese, 23. Willie le Roux.
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RUGBY WORLD CUP: Springboks name team for final against All Blacks
Head coach Jacques Nienaber has named South Africa’s team for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand in France.
Scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and flyhalf Handre Pollard have been included in the starting XV. They were not in the starting XV for last week’s semi-final victory over England, but played as substitutes.
“This is an experienced team with several players who played in the last Rugby World Cup final and who know exactly what to expect at Stade de France on Saturday and what it will take to retain the title,” said Nienaber.
“The players who will be playing in their first World Cup final have also proven their worth as warriors throughout this campaign and they are all ready for this massive occasion.
“We have said many times that we pick teams for varying gameplans depending on the opponent and that we use all 23 players to try and achieve those goals.”
Loose forward Jasper Wiese, lock Jean Kleyn and prop Trevor Nyakane have been included among the substitutes. Prop Vincent Koch has been sidelined by injury.
“We’ve gone from a five-three bench split to a seven-one split to give us the best chance of being successful. We have plans in place to mitigate for injuries in the backline, but we’re excited about our plan and we embrace the risk,” added Nienaber.
“This a huge day for the entire squad –Â and the guys who played for us earlier in the season.
“As a coaching team we are proud of the contribution that every player in the larger squad made in getting us to the final to create this opportunity.
“We know we are in for a colossal battle. Every point and inch will count in this match and we know it will take another top-class effort to come out on top on Saturday.”
The Sprinboks are the reigning Rugby World Cup champions. They beat England in 2019’s final – and also won the title in 1995 and 2007. The All Blacks have also won the Rugby World Cup three times.
Starting XV:Â 15. Damian Willemse, 14. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13. Jesse Kriel, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Cheslin Kolbe, 10. Handre Pollard, 9. Faf de Klerk, 8. Duane Vermeulen, 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6. Siya Kolisi (captain), 5. Franco Mostert, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Frans Malherbe, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 1. Steven Kitshoff.
Substitutes:Â 16. Deon Fourie, 17. Ox Nche, 18. Trevor Nyakane, 19. Jean Kleyn, 20. RG Snyman, 21. Kwagga Smith, 22. Jasper Wiese, 23. Willie le Roux.