Will the fact that the three front rows selected by the South African coach have a much greater experience than the one present in the pack of the French XV have an impact on the match?
Pour cette affiche de quart de finale de Coupe du monde, Jacques Nienaber, le sélectionneur sud-africain, a fait des choix importants avant de défier le XV de France, ce dimanche soir (21h), avec la présence notamment de Duane Vermeulen, 37 ans, en troisième ligne.
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The Springboks’ « pack » will consist of Steven Kitshoff (31 years old, 80 caps), Bongi Mbonambi (32 years old, 65 caps), Frans Malherbe (32 years old, 66 caps) in the front row, Eben Etzebeth (31 years old, 116 caps) and Franco Mostert (32 years old, 70 caps) in the second row, and Siya Kolisi (32 years old, 80 caps), Duane Vermeulen (37 years old, 72 caps), and Pieter-Steph du Toit (31 years old, 73 caps) in the back row.
The most experienced in their history.
The eight players who make up the three forward lines have a combined total of nearly 625 selections, making it the most experienced pack in the history of South Africa. All in their thirties, these Springboks players also have the distinction of all being champions at the 2019 World Cup in Japan. Only Steven Kitshoff and Franco Mostert were not starters in the final against England, but both came on as substitutes during the match.
Also read: France-South Africa: why this quarter-final, a titanic duel, will leave a lasting impression in this Rugby World Cup 2023.
On the other hand, the Blues have a pack that is nearly twice as inexperienced: Baille (30 years old, 44 caps), Mauvaka (26 years old, 28 caps), Atonio (33 years old, 53 caps), Flament (26 years old, 21 caps), Woki (24 years old, 25 caps), Jelonch (27 years old, 26 caps), Alldritt (26 years old, 41 caps), and Ollivon (30 years old, 37 caps) do not exceed 300 selections with an average age of nearly 28 years, which is 4 years younger than their opponents.
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