France anticipate a fierce match against South Africa in the quarter-finals of the World Cup, but they believe that strategy will play a more crucial role at the Stade de France. Merely relying on physicality and sheer power will not be enough to secure a victory on Sunday. South Africa, the defending champions, have been successful due to their strong and skillful pack. However, coach Jacques Nienaber surprised many when he selected a lighter and more mobile version of the team that started the tournament.
Nienaber made changes to his halfback pairing by including Manie Libbok and Cobus Reinach. Veteran player Duane Vermeulen was selected at number eight, and there were only five forwards on the bench, compared to seven in the previous match against Ireland in the pool phase.
Just two days before the clash at Stade de France, mind games between the two teams intensified. France coach Fabien Galthie deviated from his usual 5-3 forwards-backs split on the bench and opted for a 6-2 configuration. Galthie, visibly pleased, humorously addressed his choices.
He stated, “It’s a chess game. This morning we were contemplating what tactics we could present. We are entering a realm of strategy and tactics, and we are excited about the challenge.”
The Springboks seem to have altered their lineup based on their perception of how France will play, adopting a different approach with less emphasis on brute power. Nienaber commented on France’s kicking game, saying, “They have openly expressed a preference for not playing with the ball, instead opting to suffocate opponents with their excellent defensive system, which forces errors.”
With this in mind, South Africa adjusted their team selection accordingly, aiming to find strategies to counter France’s style of play. The last encounter between the two teams resulted in a 30-26 victory for France in Marseille’s Stade Velodrome last November. The atmosphere in Paris on Sunday is expected to reach boiling point as the hosts put their four years of improvement under Galthie on the line.
France has regained their flair and added a ruthless efficiency to their game, making them one of the most exciting French teams to watch. While South Africa has won the World Cup on three occasions, France is yet to lift the Webb Ellis Cup, having lost in the final three times, including a painful 19-15 defeat to the Springboks in the 1995 semi-final.
Matches between these two teams have historically been intensely physical, and those who witnessed South Africa’s 13-8 loss to Ireland understand that despite attempting to introduce subtlety into their game, the Springboks retain a combative approach.
France flanker Charles Ollivon remarked, “It was violent (last November against South Africa). We expect more of the same. I think they will stay true to themselves. They don’t come onto the pitch for a chat; they like to confront their opponents head-on and dominate them. That’s their mentality. There will be a lot of intensity. We will be prepared.”
The winner of the match will face either England or Fiji in the semi-finals in Paris.
(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Toby Davis)
