Notably, the Springboks won’t formally reveal their team to play France in the quarterfinals until Friday.
As the Springboks’ coaches consider their roster for a World Cup quarterfinal matchup against France on Sunday night, there have definitely been some selection conundrums to address. The game begins at 9 p.m.Under Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber, it has become common for the Boks to reveal their lineup as early as possible in the week, typically on a Tuesday or Wednesday depending on whether the match is on a Saturday or Sunday.
However, it has been made clear that the Springboks’ matchday roster would only be announced on Friday (at 9am) prior to the quarterfinal.
The team will surely have been disclosed to the Bok camp internally, but according to the official World Rugby timetable, the public announcement won’t happen until Friday.
It has led to considerable discussion regarding whether the South Africans intend to throw one or more surprises against France.
When questioned why the team announcement was moved to Friday, assistant coach Davids responded, “You always try to be creative in terms of what the opposition gives you.”
Teams at this level are incredibly analytical of one another, so you have to find ways to outsmart your rivals while maintaining your basic values.
We will continue to look for ways to do things differently, and that will remain a component of our strategy. In terms of our methodology, there won’t be anything new. We approach our tactics for this game in that way.
WILL POLLARD REMAIN AT 10 FOR SPRINGBOKS?
Possible Springboks line up – 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 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Duane Vermeulen, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok.
WHY LUKHANYO AM MAY HAVE TO WAIT
When Bok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick spoke to Sunday newspaper Rapport about the team’s World Cup warm-up match against Argentina in Buenos Aires early in August, the rhetoric suggested they might not rush Am back.
Stick was reported by Rapport as saying, “I don’t think it would be fair to Lukhanyo to just come here and play right away.”
I’m not saying we won’t take him into consideration for the quarterfinals, but this is the first week he’s been back in training with the team. There is no question in my opinion that Lukhanyo will be taken into consideration for a potential semi-final if things go well for us in the competition.
