{"id":432474,"date":"2023-10-13T13:41:13","date_gmt":"2023-10-13T11:41:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/betcentral.onpressidium.com\/?p=432474"},"modified":"2023-10-13T13:41:14","modified_gmt":"2023-10-13T11:41:14","slug":"springbok-watch-players-in-the-spotlight-v-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/machibet777-affiliate.com\/rugby\/springbok-watch-players-in-the-spotlight-v-france\/","title":{"rendered":"Springbok Watch: Players In The Spotlight v France"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Quintin van Jaarsveld identifies five Springbok players who\u2019ll be in the spotlight in their World Cup quarter-final <\/a><\/strong>clash against France in Saint-Denis on Sunday night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bet Now: Rugby World Cup<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bongi Mbonambi<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As the only remaining specialist hooker in the world champions\u2019 squad, Mbonambi\u2019s one of their most important players.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deon Fourie, who\u2019s played most of his rugby at flank over the last few years, over-delivered in his first Test start at hooker in the 49-18 win over Tonga in the final pool game a fortnight ago, having 100% success with his lineout throwing and revelling in general play to earn the Man of the Match award.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, France will put him under extreme pressure in the set pieces, like Ireland did when they forced a skew throw out of him at a crucial time when he came on as a replacement in the Pool B decider, so the longer Mbonambi manages to stay on the field, the better it\u2019ll be structurally for the Boks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Duane Vermeulen<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber have gone with the experience of Vermeulen over the exuberance of Jasper Wiese at No 8.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a smart decision with the veteran bringing grizzled physicality, added leadership and pilfering prowess as well as significantly higher rugby IQ and greater disciplinary dependability to the table than Wiese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Set to retire after the World Cup, this could be the 73-cap legend\u2019s last hoorah in the green and gold, so best believe he\u2019ll do everything in his power to help keep the Boks\u2019 title defence alive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cobus Reinach<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Springing a surprise, the Bok coaches have opted to start Reinach in the No 9 jersey ahead of Faf de Klerk. It\u2019s a curious call considering De Klerk\u2019s long-standing status as first-choice scrumhalf and one that\u2019ll play tricks on Fabien Galthie\u2019s mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019ll be the first time Reinach starts in a big game since the third and decisive Test against the British & Irish Lions, when De Klerk was unavailable, which the Boks won 19-16, and the clash against England at Twickenham, which the Boks lost 27-26, back in 2021, with the 33-year-old usually only featuring in the run-on side against weaker opposition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa\u2019s leading try-scorer in the 2023 showpiece with four, Reinach offers greater pace from the base than De Klerk and arguably a bigger boot, which will be vital to try to counteract the bombs France captain Antoine Dupont (who\u2019s sure to headline Les Bleus\u2019 line-up) is renowned for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It does come at a cost, though, as De Klerk – who features on a traditional 5-3 split bench – offers the Boks a left-footed kicking option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manie Libbok<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

In the biggest call of all, Libbok has been preferred at pivot ahead of Handre Pollard. It\u2019s the ultimate show of faith in the 26-year-old, who\u2019s been a project player since he forced his way into the Bok fold at the tail-end of last year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pollard made as good a comeback from injury as possible against Tonga, driving the team well, slotting all four of his kicks at goal and putting in a big shift in defence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Springbok coaches have resisted the urge to rush Manie Libbok into the run-on side and it\u2019s unclear who\u2019ll be burdened with the goal-kicking duties to start with.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, in handing Libbok the keys, the Bok coaches are indicating they feel Pollard\u2019s engine wasn\u2019t sufficiently warmed up in his 50-minute outing against the Pacific Islanders, at least not for a much faster and more intense race against the World Cup hosts. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Libbok, who also nailed all three of his kicks off the tee against Tonga, will have immense pressure on him in the goal-kicking department, and South Africans will hold their collective breath every time he goes for goal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It stands to reason the Boks will play flatter with the mercurial playmaker at flyhalf, but he\u2019ll also be asked to demonstrate tactical awareness and be accurate with his kicking out of hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To that end, he is ambidextrous and that could be why the Bok coaches feel confident in not having a left-footer in the starting XV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jesse Kriel<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Bok coaches have resisted the temptation to draft Lukhanyo Am, who was called up to the squad to replace the injured Makazole Mapimpi after the Tonga Test, into the run-on side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, the star outside centre will play no part in Sunday\u2019s showdown, mostly likely due to a lack of game time having been sidelined since suffering a knee injury in the 24-13 win over Argentina in early August.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though not the most dynamic player, Kriel has done a good job filling Am\u2019s boots in the No 13 jersey since then with many Bok fans who\u2019d still been cold on the 65-Test stalwart warming to him as a result and he has a huge opportunity to prove his worth in the do-or-die duel in Saint-Denis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

South Africa: <\/strong>15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt\u2013Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Replacements: <\/strong>16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Willie le Roux.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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