Is this how the Springboks will line up for quarter-final?
There are a couple of major selection decisions for the Springboks to make ahead of this Sunday’s quarter-final against France.
There are some real selection headaches to resolve as the Springboks’ coaches contemplate their team for a World Cup quarter-final date against France on Sunday night. Kick off is at 9pm.
Do they keep Handre Pollard at 10 and Manie Libbok on the bench? Or could they go the opposite direction, and keep Pollard on the bench as an insurance policy, while starting Libbok?
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If both are in the matchday 23, it also means the Springboks then may have to stick with a 5-3 forwards-to-backs split on the bench.
It also remains to be seen how they might consider accommodating the return of Lukhanyo Am, who is back with the squad, but lacking top-tier game-time.
All have pros and cons, but here is how we think the Springboks’ matchday 23 could look for the playoffs.
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WILL POLLARD REMAIN AT 10 FOR SPRINGBOKS?
Possible Springboks line up – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.
Subs: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Duane Vermeulen, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok.
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WHY LUKHANYO AM MAY HAVE TO WAIT
The centre suffered a knee injury in the team’s World Cup warm-up match against Argentina in Buenos Aires early in August, but when Bok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick spoke to Sunday newspaper Rapport, the rhetoric suggested they might not rush Am back.
“I don’t think it would be fair to Lukhanyo to just arrive here and play straight away,” Stick was quoted by Rapport.
“I’m not saying we won’t consider him (for the quarter-finals), but this is the first week he’s been training with the team again. If things go well with us in the tournament, there is no doubt in my mind that Lukhanyo will be considered for a possible semi-final.”