South Africa have named an unchanged starting XV ahead of their Rugby World Cup semi-final clash with New Zealand at Twickenham on Saturday.
As reported by the BBC, head coach Heyneke Meyer has decided to persevere with the side that knocked out Wales in the quarter-finals stages, despite the fitness concerns surrounding lock Lood de Jager and hooker Bismarck du Plessis who both had to be replaced after suffering injuries in the 23-19 victory.
But both players seem to have proven their fitness ahead of the vital clash against New Zealand whilst lock Victor Matfield has also recovered from a hamstring injury to return to the replacements bench.
The 38-year-old has replaced Pieter-Steph du Toit and will be hoping to win his 126th cap should he feature on Saturday.
De Jager has successfully managed to recover from a foot injury sustained against Wales whilst du Plessis will play with heavy strapping on his hand after suffering a hand wound.
Boasting the most experienced squad in the tournament with over 700 Test caps between the starting lineup alone, this is the first time since 2007 that the Springboks have not changed their starting XV between successive World Cup matches whilst eight squad members from the 2007 semi-final will lineup against New Zealand.
JP Pietersen, Bryan Habana, Fourie du Preez, Matfield and Schalk Burger all started against Argentina as they went on to win the tournament eight years ago, whilst Bismarck du Plessis, Jannie du Plessis and Ruan Pienaar all featured from the bench.
And coach Meyer knows that this experience will be required if they are to have any success in defeating the reigning world champions.
“This New Zealand side is probably the best team that’s ever played the game.
“If you look at their run after the World Cup, they’ve just got better after the previous World Cup and that doesn’t happen in world rugby.
“It will need our best performance probably ever to beat them.”
New Zealand are heading into the clash as favourites following their 62-13 demolition of France in the last round and despite the two-time champions South Africa having won two of their three previous World Cup matches against the All Blacks, their recent record against their Southern Hemisphere rivals looks less than impressive having lost 10 of the last 12.
Winger Bryan Habana will also have the opportunity to break the current try-scoring record at the tournament as he is currently tied with All Blacks legend Jonah Lomu on 15 tries, however, the 115-times Test-capped star knows that should his nation win this game then they will have to put everything on the line.
“To beat the number one side in the world you have to be better than your best in every facet of your play.
“Your discipline has to be unbelievably good. Your defence has to be as sound as it’s ever been before, your physicality and intensity has got to go 10 notches up and you know you have to be in for a massive 85 to 90-minute game.”
South Africa starting XV:
15 Willie le Roux, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian De Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Fourie du Preez (capt).
1 Tendai Mtawarira, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 3 Frans Malherbe, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Francois Louw, 7 Schalk Burger, 8 Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements:
16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Trevor Nyakane, 18 Jannie du Plessis, 19 Victor Matfield, 20 Willem Alberts, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Pat Lambie, 23 Jan Serfontein.
