The Springbok team to face Tonga at the Rugby World Cup.
With RWC quarter-final berth at stake, Springbok boss calls for better execution
Jacques Nienaber has warned his Springbok match-day squad that nothing other than a full 80-minute onslaught against Tonga will be good enough to get them into the Rugby World Cup playoffs.
The Springbok team to face Tonga at the Rugby World Cup.
Nienaber named the Springbok team on Wednesday and reminded the selected the players that South Africa’s Rugby World Cup hopes rest squarely on their shoulders.
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Nienaber made 12 changes to the starting team from the one which played Ireland, retaining forwards Siya Kolisi – who will make his 50th appearance as captain – Eben Etzebeth and Jasper Wiese for the must-win clash. Nienaber named a traditional split of five forwards and three backs on the bench.
But the biggest news from the team announcement in the return of flyhalf Handre Pollard to the starting lineup at the expense of Manie Libbok, who drops to the bench.
Apart from Pollard, Willie le Roux, Grant Williams, Canan Moodie, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Duane Vermeulen, Marvin Orie, Vincent Koch and Jaden Hendrikse have all returned the Springbok match 23 after missing out on selection last week.
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SPRINGBOK BOSS DEMANDS ACCURATE EXECUTION
“This is a strong and physical team, which is exactly what need against a side like Tonga that plays with passion and force,” said Nienaber.
“Each one of us understands the importance of this match with an eye on qualifying for the quarter-final, so accurate execution, physicality and doing our basics right will be vital to get the desired result.”
“They had impressive moments in their matches against Scotland and Ireland, so this will require a full 80-minute effort. The emphasis for us will be on doing what we need to do to progress out of the pool stages and to bounce back from last week and build momentum.
“We are still in the World Cup, and we know we have the players and skills to defend our title. We now need to transfer all the hard work at training into producing a top-quality performance,” Nienaber added.
TEAM TO FACE TONGA:
Springbok match 23 — 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Grant Williams, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Vincent Koch, 2 Deon Fourie, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Marco van Staden, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Jesse Kriel, 23 Manie Libbok.
