At the Rugby World Cup’s last-eight match against France at the Stade de France in Paris, it’s do-or-die time for the Springboks, and Cyril Ramaphosa is so fired up for the match that he personally contacts the players.

The match this Sunday against the host nation and the world’s second-ranked Test team is anticipated to be heated and competitive.Starting time is 21:00 (SA time).

The president published the video of his conversation with head coach Jacques Nienaber on his social media accounts after it was recorded during their phone call.

Check out the conversation between President Cyril Ramaphosa and Nienaber below to hear his advice and words of inspiration before of Sunday’s quarterfinal matchup against France.

VIDEO: PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA CALLS THE SPRINGBOKS

Spoke to coach @jacnienaber ahead of tonight’s quarter-final. pic.twitter.com/SH6wYuH3Gs

— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) October 15, 2023

CHECK OUT THE SPRINGBOKS’ RESULTS AND FIXTURES BELOW:

Sunday, 10 September – Springboks beat Scotland 18-3 (Stade Velodrome, Marseille).
Sunday, 17 September – Springboks beat Romania 76-0 (Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux).
Saturday, 23 September – Springboks lost 13-8 to Ireland (Stade de France, Paris).
Sunday, 1 October – Boks beat Tonga 49-18 (Stade Velodrome, Marseille).

Sunday, 15 October – Springboks v France Stade de France, Paris). Kick-off time: 21:00

Weekend of 21/22 October – Semi-finals
Saturday, 28 October – Final

France coach slams back: We don’t care about Rassie words

Sunday night’s fourth and final World Cup quarterfinal between the Springboks and France will be officiated by New Zealand referee Ben O’Keeffe.

RASSIE ERASMUS HAS ENGAGED IN SOME ‘MIND GAMES’

Rassie Erasmus, the head coach of the Boks, has made some noteworthy understated comments regarding France and specific simulation techniques that can sway the referee prior to this highly anticipated match.

According to Erasmus, “the French do not play a dangerous game where they err on the side of being overly violent with high hits. But they really make the referee aware of it when they are struck close to the high [tackle] line, in my opinion. They do, on occasion, simulate just a little bit, which is clever.

Sometimes, when the referee enters the field, players fall to the ground or, you know, the TV [replays] don’t function at that particular moment [referring to a suspicious situation when the teams met in November 2016 on the year-end tour]. They’re quite excellent at that, in my opinion, and very intelligent at it.

However, as tension rose in front of the titanic struggle, France forwards coach William Servat responded to these remarks with a stern reply.

“It doesn’t seem like there is much to interpret. This kind of workout is something Rassie is experienced with,” Servat stated through a translator. “We are aware of the energy and potential violence South Africa brings to a contest. We are aware of their resilience.

“I don’t know how to understand what he said, and I don’t really care what he said. Making sure that our guys are ready is crucial.”

WORLD CUP MATCH OFFICIAL APPOINTMENTS:

Quarter-final 1: Wales v Argentina
Stade de Marseille, Marseille
Saturday, 14 October
Referee: Jaco Peyper (SARU)
Assistant Referee 1: Karl Dickson (RFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)

Quarter-final 2: Ireland v New Zealand
Stade de France, Paris
Saturday, 14 October
Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU)
Assistant Referee 1: Matthew Carley (RFU)
Assistant Referee 2: Christophe Ridley (RFU)
TMO: Tom Foley (RFU)

Quarter-final 3: England v Fiji
Stade de Marseille, Marseille
Sunday, 15 October
Referee: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)
Assistant Referee 1: Nic Berry (RA)
Assistant Referee 2: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)

Quarter-final 4: France v South Africa
Stade de France, Paris
Sunday, 15 October
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR)
Assistant Referee 1: Paul Williams (NZR)
Assistant Referee 2: James Doleman (NZR)
TMO: Brendon Pickerill (NZR)