Reinach and Libbok picked in South Africa quarter-final team to play France

Cobus Reinach of South Africa celebrates scoring his side's first try

South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber has named his team to face France in Stade de France on Sunday, with Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok preferred at scrum-half and fly-half to Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard.

Duane Vermeulen starts at number eight ahead of Jasper Wiese, who drops out of the 23 altogether. On the bench, South Africa have opted for a 5-3 split.

Eight of Sunday’s starting XV started in the 32-12 final victory over England four years ago: Siya Kolisi, who will captain the Boks again, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen, Bongi Mbonambi, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Damian de Allende and Cheslin Kolbe.

“Most of these players have Rugby World Cup experience and several of them were involved in the 2019 final, so they know what it takes to perform in big moments,” said Nienaber.

“Twenty of these players were also in the matchday squad that played France in Marseille last season, which was a good dress rehearsal for what we can expect from France and their supporters.” 

SOUTH AFRICA: Damian Willemse, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Manie Libbok, Cobus Reinach, Steven Kitshoff, Mbongeni Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi (c), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Duane Vermeulen  

Replacements: Deon Fourie, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Faf de Klerk, Handre Pollard, Willie Le Roux