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Date: 2023-12-01 20:34:53 | Author: Worldcup 2026 | Views: 829 | Tag: PBA
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If fortune does indeed favour the brave, then South Africa should triumph in the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday evening PBA
For the third time in two months, they have opted for the controversial 7-1 split of forwards to backs on their bench and, in the process, have taken a huge gamble in the biggest game on the calendar PBA
For the uninitiated, rugby teams almost always opt for a 5-3 or 6-2 split among their replacements PBA
The laws of the international game dictate that you must have three front-row specialists (hookers and props, who count among the forwards) on your bench, and then teams will usually have a roughly even division of forwards and backs for the remaining five slots to ensure adequate cover for all position PBA
Yet for the third time in the last two months, the Springboks have boldly opted for just one lone back – Willie Le Roux in this instance – among their subs PBA
On the previous two occasions, there has been no damage done PBA
The final World Cup warm-up match saw them hand New Zealand a record 35-7 defeat at Twickenham and although they lost a hard-fought pool match to Ireland, the bench split had no negative impact on the result PBA
Given that Saturday evening in Paris is a rematch against the All Blacks, perhaps there is sound logic in reprising the successful formation from late August PBA
That was certainly the argument of head coach Jacques Nienaber, who downplayed the controversy when explaining the selection at the team announcement press conference on Thursday PBA
“The team is not 15, it is 23,” insisted Nienaber PBA
“We always say that PBA
When you do squad selection there are a lot of things that influence that from medical to past performances and a lot of analysis into New Zealand and where we think we can get the edge on them PBA
“Then the discussions starts PBA between the coaches and it goes from a 5-3 to a 6-2 to a 7-1, then it goes back again PBA
It is not a 10-minute discussion, it is hours and hours PBA
“I’m not going to say what the strengths and weaknesses of the All Blacks are, that would be stupid PBA
But a lot of analysis went into it and at the end we went with a squad of 23 PBA
It could have been 6-2, 5-3, it doesn’t matter PBA
You select a team that you think can get a result PBA
The 23 we selected for a reason, and the reason is we think they can deliver and win us a back-to-back World Cup PBA
”Faf de Klerk holds huge importance for South Africa with no back-up scrum half in the squad (PA Wire)While the decision has worked in the past, there is undoubtedly an element of playing with fire from the Springboks PBA
Le Roux is a world-class full back and can comfortably play on the wing, while a backline reshuffle with the available players could solve any issues at fly half or centre PBA
But starting No 9 Faf de Klerk is the only scrum half in the squad and any sort of injury to the man with the flowing blond hair could leave South Africa in a bind PBA
Nienaber again played down the issue and highlighted Cheslin Kolbe’s similar role in sevens as a solution to that hypothetical PBA
“As coaches you always mitigate risk by prepping other people,” said Nienaber PBA
“In our case it will be Cheslin PBA
He played sweeper in sevens which is the equivalent to scrum half PBA
He has always been a guy who, if we got a yellow card, would be the stand in half-back, not just this week but for a couple of weeks PBA
”De Klerk also highlighted replacement flanker Kwagga Smith – another man with sevens experience – as a solution but any sort of extended period with Kolbe or Smith at No 9 feels like a World Cup-losing recipe PBA
The other main notable call in the Springbok team selection was Handre Pollard getting the nod over Manie Libbok at fly half PBA
Given Libbok’s early substitution during the semi-final after struggling to execute the kicking game – and similarly rainy weather expected at the Stade de France on Saturday evening – the choice of Pollard, who led his side to victory off the bench, is not a huge surprise, although Libbok is unlucky to miss out on the matchday 23 entirely PBA
Handre Pollard kicked the winning penalty in the semi-final (PA Wire)The ability to bring an almost entirely new pack off the bench – their patented ‘bomb squad’ – in a World Cup final certainly plays into the Springboks rugby philosophy of physicality and domination up front PBA
It couldn’t turn the tide against Ireland in the pool stage but it is the boldest of calls befitting the grandest of stages PBA
No one said you win a World Cup by being timid and sometimes in sport, fortune does favour the brave PBA
South Africa XV to face the All Blacks in Rugby World Cup final: 15 PBA
Damian Willemse, 14 PBA
Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 PBA
Jesse Kriel, 12 PBA
Damian de Allende, 11 PBA
Cheslin Kolbe, 10 PBA
Handre Pollard, 9 PBA
Faf de Klerk; 1 PBA
Steven Kitshoff, 2 PBA
Bongi Mbonambi, 3 PBA
Frans Malherbe, 4 PBA
Eben EtzePBA beth, 5 PBA
Franco Mostert, 6 PBA
Siya Kolisi (captain), 7 PBA
Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 PBA
Duane Vermeulen PBA
Replacements: 16 PBA
Deon Fourie, 17 PBA
Ox Nche, 18 PBA
Trevor Nyakane, 19 PBA
Jean Kleyn, 20 PBA
RG Snyman, 21 PBA
Kwagga Smith, 22 PBA
Jasper Wiese, 23 PBA
Willie Le RouxMore aboutSouth Africa rugbySpringboksRugby World CupNew Zealand rugbyWillie le RouxFaf de KlerkJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/3Springboks take huge gamble on biggest stage of allSpringboks take huge gamble on biggest stage of allFaf de Klerk holds huge importance for South Africa with no back-up scrum half in the squad PA WireSpringboks take huge gamble on biggest stage of allHandre Pollard kicked the winning penalty in the semi-final PA WireSpringboks take huge gamble on biggest stage of allThe Springboks have opted to pack the bench with forwards Getty Images✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today PBA
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As any Paris shop owner will tell you, an alluring storefront can be everything PBA
In this beautiful old city, the public are spoilt for choice, chic spots and souvenir shops abundant along the narrow streets and grand boulevards PBA
A bit of glitz and glamour in an attractive aperture can be the difference PBA between a passing glance and a bustling boutique PBA
And so the Rugby World Cup reaches its day of greatest shop window prominence, hoping to dazzle with a Stade de France showpiece contest PBA between two great rivals PBA
On Saturday, South Africa and New Zealand will battle to lift the Webb Ellis Cup for a record fourth time, the etcher at the ready though unlikely to be able to start their work too soon with two such evenly-matched, if radically different, sides PBA
You could hardly have a more enticing game to sell the sport PBA
The eyes of the world will be watching; this encounter has every chance of enchanting them PBA
“This is what World Cup finals are about,” Ian Foster, New Zealand’s head coach, said this week PBA
“I don’t think there’s ever a small one PBA
“The fact is we have two teams who have been old foes for a long time PBA
We all remember the last final PBA between us [in 1995], which was an epic, and hopefully this one will be the same PBA
We’ve got three World Cups each and someone is going to win four PBA
It’s a special occasion, isn’t it?”A match of such magnitude and potential magnificence comes at the end of a momentous week for rugby union PBA
On Tuesday, World Rugby’s council narrowly gave the go-ahead to grand plans that will reshape international men’s rugby union PBA
From 2026, gone, largely, will be traditional tours, replaced by a two-tiered structure that will provide consistent, meaningful and contextualised rugby for the world’s top 24 nations PBA
RecommendedStuart Hogg column: New Zealand’s wingers terrify me! They can make the difference in the World Cup finalHow the incredible Barrett brothers rejuvenated the All BlacksBeloved vs unloved: Contrasting captains Kolisi and Cane collide in Rugby World Cup finalThe merits of the plans will be debated but many sensible characters are encouraged by signs of progress PBA
There is a need for more equal sharing of wealth and greater support for emergent unions, though there are at least steps in the right direction even amidst a lack of clarity PBA
Certainly, the implementation of a global calendar should aid in reducing the infighting that has so often held this sport back PBA
The buoyancy of the rugby television rights market remains to be seen but there is hope at World Rugby, the Six Nations and Sanzaar that the new competition - yet to be officially titled but tagged the “Nations Championship” - will prove an attractive proposition for broadcasters at a time where the sport needs to swell revenue PBA
It can be forgotten that rugby is young professionally, its economy a frontier market PBA
There is a general acceptance that great missteps were made in the establishment of the structures that have defined the last 28 years, and a more cohesive, collaborative and joined-up approach is required to build sustainably henceforth PBA
If, at times, rugby could be accused of swaying to capitalist whims, this is surely a time for a left-ward shift as it evolves PBA
Hosts France were knocked out after an epic quarter-final against South Africa (Adam Davy/PA) (PA Wire)“This is a quantum leap forward for the game,” said Bill Beaumont, World Rugby’s chairman, this week PBA
“"It’s fitting that we finish this, the sport’s greatest celebration of togetherness, with the sport’s greatest feat of togetherness, the most significant development in the sport since the game went professional PBA
"A new era is about to begin for our sport PBA
An era that will bring certainty and opportunity for all PBA
An era that will support the many, not the few and an era that will supercharge the development of the sport beyond its traditional and often self-imposed boundaries PBA
”The rugby landscape come the next men’s tournament in Australia in four years’ time could look very different PBA
The World Cup itself, meanwhile, is similarly evolving, an expansion to 24 teams and six pools necessitating a new model, with World Rugby considering basing the four sides in each group around a single city PBA
This is the last time that the host nation will take responsibility for the organisation of the tournament, with the sport’s governing body assuming greater control PBA
It is not beyond the bounds of possibility that the next four years could also see the introduction of a reduced tackle height law to the professional game, with it already in place in recreational rugby in many parts of the world PBA
But there are also concerns over the financial sustainability of the sport, at club level particularly PBA
All of England, Wales, Australia and New Zealand have concerns over what the future holds for their domestic games – this may be a great final, and may have been a great tournament, but it would be wrong to ignore the broader ill health of the sport PBA
Brodie Retallick, Samuel Whitelock and Luke Jacobson of New Zealand prepare for a scrum (Getty Images)If this is the end of an era, there could be no more fitting way to finish PBA
South Africa and New Zealand have forged a defining rivalry, three World Cup crowns apiece making Saturday’s encounter a chase for number four and the outright men’s record PBA
Their last meeting in a final, that historic day in 1995, ushered in rugby union’s professional age; this game might be the start of another epoch PBA
If there is a slight disappointment that neither Ireland nor, particularly, France did not make it here given the manner in which they seemed to be building to a quadrennial crescendo, these are the two great men’s rugby sides, whose players and fans embody contrasting but colourful cultures PBA
On the pitch, it should be spectacular, too PBA
These are two teams that represent the stylistic diversity that so often proves rugby’s strength PBA
To describe it simply as South Africa’s forward might against the All Blacks’ brilliant backs would be to diminish the rounded nature of two fine sides, but there is no doubt that these great rivals approach the game from alternative perspectives PBA
Kurt-Lee Arendse passes the ball watched by Cheslin Kolbe (Getty Images)And, as with any showpiece like this, the storylines are innumerable PBA
Take the men in charge PBA
For South Africa, Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber, considering every detail like Rodin’s Thinker, could become the most decorated pair in tournament history if they repeat their 2019 victory PBA
For Ian Foster in the opposite coaching box, meanwhile, this triumph would be testament to the tenacity and toughness of a man who so nearly lost his job last year PBA
Who would begrudge Sam Whitelock, the old warhorse of the All Blacks pack, going out on his shield with a third World Cup winners’ medal? Or what about Siya Kolisi, the boy from a township on the Eastern Cape who became the defining figure of a golden rugby generation, joining Richie McCaw as the only captains to lift the Webb Ellis Cup twice? This could be one of the great rugby days PBA
"I don’t think it’s stuff that you can dream about because it doesn’t happen often,” said Kolisi ahead of the final PBA
“I don’t think it will happen in our lifetime again to have two teams like this PBA
We’ve prepared as hard as we can PBA
We know what to expect PBA
I don’t think as a player it will ever get any bigger PBA
” Beauden Barrett runs with the ball (Getty Images)More aboutSouth Africa rugbyNew Zealand rugbyRugby World CupWorld RugbySpringboksAll BlacksSiya KolisiRassie ErasmusIan FosterJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/5Spectacular All Blacks v Springboks final will launch rugby’s new eraSpectacular All Blacks v Springboks final will launch rugby’s new eraHosts France were knocked out after an epic quarter-final against South Africa (Adam Davy/PA)PA WireSpectacular All Blacks v Springboks final will launch rugby’s new eraBrodie Retallick, Samuel Whitelock and Luke Jacobson of New Zealand prepare for a scrumGetty ImagesSpectacular All Blacks v Springboks final will launch rugby’s new eraKurt-Lee Arendse passes the ball watched by Cheslin KolbeGetty ImagesSpectacular All Blacks v Springboks final will launch rugby’s new eraBeauden Barrett runs with the ballGetty ImagesSpectacular All Blacks v Springboks final will launch rugby’s new eraMark Telea of New Zealand breaks through South Africa in the last meeting PBA between the sides in August at TwickenhamGetty Images✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today PBA
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicsPBA BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy PBA
truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply PBA
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