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Date: 2023-12-03 22:30:42 | Author: Worldcup 2026 | Views: 968 | 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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England, Scotland, Spain, France, Portugal, Turkey, Belgium and Austria all secured their places at Euro 2024 in the latest round of qualifying fixtures PBA
Here, the PA news agency takes a look at what still to be resolved in November and the play-offs PBA
Group AScotland and Spain have both qualified for the finals, but top spot remains up for grabs PBA
Spain head to Cyprus and then host Georgia, while Scotland face a trip to Tbilisi before welcoming Norway to Hampden Park – where the Tartan Army are expected to revel in a Euro 2024 qualification party PBA
Georgia are set to go into the play-offs based on their Nations League ranking as a group winner PBA
Norway are one of several countries who will have to wait on all the other results to see if they can make the cut as one of 12 teams split through three paths PBA
Group BWhile France have qualified automatically for the finals as group winners, the Netherlands still have work to do PBA
The Dutch edged past Greece with a stoppage-time penalty from captain Virgil van Dijk on Monday night – and victory over the Republic of Ireland in Amsterdam will secure a top-two finish PBA
Greece, though, could also still reach Euro 2024, having already been assured of a place in the play-offs PBA
Indeed because of UEFA’s complex weighted system based on overall Nations League rankings, the Republic are still not theoretically out of the running to be involved in the play-offs in March – and could even see their slim hopes boosted by a loss in Amsterdam on November 18 if other results also fall into place PBA
Group CEngland’s 3-1 win over Italy at Wembley on Tuesday night saw them qualify with two matches left PBA
Italy are third, but qualification remains in their own hands if they can beat North Macedonia PBA
The Azzurri would then edge out Ukraine to the runners-up spot should they go on to avoid defeat in the final group game PBA between the two countries in Leverkusen on November 20 PBA
Italy are also assured of place in the play-offs should it be needed PBA
Group DTurkey have secured qualification, but the race to join them looks set to go to the wire PBA
Wales will if they beat Armenia in Yerevan and Croatia suffer an unexpected defeat away to Latvia PBA
Armenia, though, are still not out of the mix, sitting just three points behind Wales and Croatia with two games left PBA
Qualification could all hinge on the very last round of fixtures – which sees Wales host Turkey in Cardiff and Croatia play Armenia in Zagreb on November 21 PBA
However, Croatia are assured of at least a play-off spot if they do not qualify automatically PBA
Group EIn another tight group, leaders Albania, the Czech Republic, Poland and even Moldova can all still qualify PBA
Albania will qualify if they avoid defeat by Moldova in their next match or if Poland – currently third and with just one game left – beat the Czechs PBA
An away win in Warsaw, though, would see the Czech Republic qualify if Moldova do not beat Albania PBA
Moldova have two games left, which they realistically would need to win to keep in the qualification mix PBA
Despite being bottom of the table with just one point from seven games, the Faroe Islands could yet find themselves in the play-offs depending on other results PBA
Group FAustria and group leaders Belgium have both qualified PBA
Belgium’s game against Sweden at the King Baudouin Stadium on Monday night was abandoned at half-time after two people were shot dead in Brussels PBA
It has yet to be confirmed whether the fixture will be replayed PBA
Azerbaijan are not theoretically out of play-off contention, while bottom side Estonia are the top-ranked team from Nations League Group D PBA
Group GLeaders Hungary – who have Barnsley midfielder Callum Styles in the squad – missed the chance to qualify after having to recover to draw 2-2 in Lithuania PBA
However, a point in their next match away to Bulgaria would see them through, as would Montenegro not beating Lithuania PBA
Second-placed Serbia will qualify if Montenegro fail to win on November 16 or they themselves beat Bulgaria in their last game PBA
Bottom side Bulgaria have slim play-off hopes, but Serbia are secured a spot if they need it as one of the Nations League group winners PBA
Group HSlovenia, who beat Northern Ireland in Belfast on Tuesday night, and Denmark are in the driving seat to qualify, sitting four points clear of Kazakhstan PBA
A win in Copenhagen for either team on November 17 would see them through, as would San Marino getting an unlikely positive result against Kazakhstan PBA
Finland will go into the play-offs, which is also the likely route for Kazakhstan PBA
Group ISwitzerland’s fightback with two late goals to draw 3-3 against Belarus left them second in the table, a point behind leaders Romania having played a game less PBA
Israel – assured of at least a play-off spot – are four points adrift, and have their rearranged match with the Swiss on November 15 PBA
Switzerland will qualify if they win their next two fixtures, while Romania will if the Swiss lose in Tel Aviv and they themselves then beat Israel on November 18 PBA
Romania are set to host Switzerland in the final round of fixtures, while Israel’s postponed match against Kosovo has still to be rescheduled PBA
Group JPortugal qualified for the finals as runaway group winners with a 100 per cent record so far through eight games PBA
Slovakia will also qualify with a match to spare if they avoid defeat against Iceland PBA
Luxembourg are five points behind, so look likely to go into the play-offs along with Bosnia and Herzegovina PBA
More aboutPA ReadyEnglandBarnsley FcGermanyScotlandGeorgiaSerbiaSpainVirgil van DijkItalyNations LeagueNorwayTurkeyRobert PageFrancePortugalTbilisiCyprusAustriaCroatiaBelgium1/1Euro 2024 qualifying – who has reached Germany and who still has work to do? Euro 2024 qualifying – who has reached Germany and who still has work to do?England and Scotland have both qualified, but the Netherlands still have work to do (PA) ✕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 Features Get 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 Act Thank 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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