RUGBY WORLD CUP | Live scoring: Springboks too good for France

The last of the quarter-finals. One semi-final place up for grabs. The hosts, France  – second in the World Rugby Men’s Rankings – against the defending champion Springboks and the side they overtook during the tournament. It doesn’t get much bigger than this. 

South Africa’s head coach Jacques Nienaber has named 13 of the 15 players who started against Ireland in round three. The only two changes to the Springboks’ starting lineup are at scrumhalf, where Cobus Reinach gets the nod ahead of Faf de Klerk, and at No 8, with Duane Vermeulen in place of Jasper Wiese.

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With 880 caps in the starting XV, it’s South Africa’s second-most experienced test line-up ever. Most of those caps are in the run-on pack, who have 623 caps between them – more than any other front eight in Springbok history. And there’s plenty more on the bench, as well…

Jacques Nienaber has named a 5-3 bench split for the second consecutive match, and third time at RWC 2023, while 14 of those involved here played against France in Marseille last November – including Manie Libbok, who made his debut back then.

France coach Fabien Galthié has made just one change to his starting XV that defeated Italy 60-7 in the last game, with captain Antoine Dupont returning 24 days after fracturing his jaw against Namibia in Marseille.

Galthié has named a 6-2 bench split for the second time this tournament, though Sekou Macalou has been employed on the wing in the past, while 12 of the starting XV that defeated South Africa in Marseille in 2022 have been named again this time.

ALSO READ: France coach claps back: We don’t care what Rassie says

FIXTURE: France v South Africa

GROUND: Stade de France (80,023)

KICK-OFF: 21:00 local time (GMT+2)

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Follow the Springboks v France live scoring below:

HERE IS HOW THE TEAMS WILL LINE UP:

Springboks – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee 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 (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 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.

France – 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (c), 8 Gregory Aldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Thibaud Flament, 4 Cameron Woki, 3 Uini Antonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Cyril Baille.
Subs: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Francois Cros, 21 Sekou Macalou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Yoram Moefana.

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