Rugby World Cup: South Africa Name Squad To Deploy Threat Against New Zealand

18th September 2019

He will roll out the same side that thrashed Japan in their final warm-up match before the tournament, a line-up that had only one change from the team that drew 16-all with New Zealand last month when Siya Kolisi was injured

In this file photo taken on October 20, 2007 South Africa's fullback Percy Montgomery kisses his medal in front of the William Webb Ellis cup after winning the rugby union World Cup final match against England at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris. This tournament of surprises began with Argentina beating hosts France in the opening match and ended with South Africa claiming their second title. In between Fiji beat the Welsh who consequently missed out on the quarter-finals as did Ireland who, like the French, were undone by a bold and exciting Pumas team. PHOTO | AFP
In this file photo taken on October 20, 2007 South Africa's fullback Percy Montgomery kisses his medal in front of the William Webb Ellis cup after winning the rugby union World Cup final match against England at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris. This tournament of surprises began with Argentina beating hosts France in the opening match and ended with South Africa claiming their second title. In between Fiji beat the Welsh who consequently missed out on the quarter-finals as did Ireland who, like the French, were undone by a bold and exciting Pumas team. PHOTO | AFP
SUMMARY
  • South African coach Rassie Erasmus predictably named his number one side on Thursday to face New Zealand in the marquee clash on the opening weekend of the World Cup
  • Between them, the Springboks and All Blacks have won five of the eight World Cups and Erasmus has been quite open about the game plan needed to take down his arch-rivals in their Pool B clash at Yokohama on Saturday

TOKYO, Japan- South African coach Rassie Erasmus predictably named his number one side on Thursday to face New Zealand in the marquee clash on the opening weekend of the World Cup.

He will roll out the same side that thrashed Japan in their final warm-up match before the tournament, a line-up that had only one change from the team that drew 16-all with New Zealand last month when Siya Kolisi was injured.

Between them, the Springboks and All Blacks have won five of the eight World Cups and Erasmus has been quite open about the game plan needed to take down his arch-rivals in their Pool B clash at Yokohama on Saturday.

Against Japan, Springbok halves Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard spent much of the time kicking the ball away so the South Africans could rehearse their defensive lines ahead of the sustained periods of attack they expect from the All Blacks.

"We've picked our best side," Erasmus said.

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"It's going to be a massive challenge with the rain they're predicting. Everyone's talking about the slippery ball and the wetness. Kicking is going to play a big part."

Erasmus believed his backline -- with a speedy outside trio of Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am and Makazole Mapimpi -- would match whoever the All Blacks put up but the crunch area would be how his bigger forward pack handled the breakdown in the humidity as the game wore on.

"We've been working really hard on that over the last six or seven Test matches. It will be a massive challenge."

With Kolisi restored to full health he will form a powerful loose forward trio with Duane Vermeulen and Pieter-Steph du Toit, with the tight five of Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx and Steven Kitshoff adding muscle. 

South Africa (15-1)

Willie le Roux; Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi; Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk; Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (capt); Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth; Frans Malherbe, Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff

Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira, Trevor Nyakane, RG Snyman, Francois Louw, Herschel Jantjies, Francois Steyn, Jesse Kriel