The Springboks intend playing to their strengths against New Zealand in the final of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in Paris on Saturday evening.
Jacques Nienaber’s final Bok squad saw him turn to the halfback pairing of Handré Pollard and Faf de Klerk, while the bench shows a 7-1 split in favour of the forwards.
Bongi Mbonambi starts at hooker, after World Rugby dropped their investigation into allegations of racism due to lack of evidence.
“I don’t think it’s stuff that you can dream about because it doesn’t happen often. I don’t think it will happen in our lifetime again to have two teams like this.”
Not even in your wildest dreams, so says Springboks Captain Siya Kolisi. A final against the All Blacks is a once in a lifetime moment. And the Boks have opted to stick to their strengths for this clash, Faf De Klerk and Handré Pollard, a partnership made on a rugby pitch in heaven.
The most experienced halfback pairing in Springbok history and in certain inclement conditions, two names that are automatic inclusions, and that is what Boks’ Coach Jacques Nienaber needs to have covered.
Nienaber says, “There is a 60 percent chance there will be rain either just before the game or in the game. We had a semi-final where we were exposed to that. The kicking game will be important, like it is in any final or semi-final, and gaining territory will be important.”
The squad for the final lays bare the brutal selection policy of the Springboks. Nienaber says the individual must yield to the needs of the team. Manie Libbok and Cobus Reinarch will watch the final from the stands.
Nienaber adds, “How did the other guys take it? We explain to the whole squad why we are going a certain route. It is not about individual selection. It is for South Africa. As selectors we know there will be pressure on us if we don’t deliver a result but at the back of our minds, we know this selection is for South Africa.”
Kolisi, who was consigned to the tackle bags in 2015, further underlines the philosophy of the team.
He says, “When we win, South Africa wins. It doesn’t say this guy started or this guy kicked the winning penalty. When they write the name on the trophy, they say South Africa.”
For both player and coach, memories of 1995 are never far away. A reminder that delivering a record fourth Webb Ellis Cup will etch the players’ names in history.
Nienaber reminisces, “I remember it very well. I remember after the victory we were all in the streets. I was at Uni then. I watched it back again about a year ago. It’s amazing how the game has changed.”
“The game from 1995, it’s so special. I think I was four then. I didn’t get to watch but obviously seeing videos of it and also the significance of the game is huge. It opened a lot of doors for me and many others. It was an important game not just for the Eastern Cape, I think for South Africa in general,” Kolisi says.
For most of the squad, they say it is the waiting that is the hardest part. Saturday evening’s 9pm kick-off cannot come fast enough.
