For a bit, you would think that South Africans changed their nationality overnight. Expected with the armored vehicles in combat position at the Stade de France on Sunday, the title holders surprised everyone when the team composition was announced this Friday morning. No Faf de Klerk or Handré Pollard, the hinge stamped minimalist but destructive game which worked wonders in 2019 in Japan. The bus will be driven for this quarter-final at the top by Cobus Reinach at the scrum and Manie Libbok at the opening.
On the bench, no 7-1 (seven forwards and only one three-quarter) like against Ireland in group play, nor even a 6-2, but a 5-3. Or how to shatter all our landmarks. “We chose the team that seems best to us for Sunday,” coach Jacques Nienaber simply commented. France has a very interesting kicking game and we think these two players offer us the best chances. »
Not really what we expected, and neither did the Blues. “It’s a bit surprising, yes, with a few players who weren’t starting in their previous big matches,” admitted Charles Ollivon during the French press conference at the end of the morning. The first thing that comes to mind when you see this and their 5-3 bench is that they might play a little more than usual. »
This is also the opinion of Gaël Fickou, who spoke immediately. For him, the fact of finding the Montpellier Cobus Reinach in 9 is not trivial. “We know him well from playing him often in the Top 14, he has this ability to accelerate the game,” observed the boss of the French defense. They will surely want to bring a lot of speed to destabilize us. »
Galthié is licking his lips
One might have thought Fabien Galthié a little worried about this change in strategy made by his friends opposite Nienaber and Erasmus. It’s quite the opposite, at least on the surface. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen the coach so smiling in front of the media. As a fine tactician, he seems to delight in all these considerations.
To know this team and its staff well, they have a sharp, thoughtful tactical approach. They always come out with a very well studied plan in relation to the adversary. They’ve been at a standstill for two weeks, believe me, they’ve studied us well, he explained. We too were thinking about what they could offer us. These matches are a level of strategy pushed to its climax, a real game of chess. It’s perfect. »
Galthié’s eyes shone under his big glasses, we were close enough to see him. He also changed his team composition for this quarter-final, with a bench in 6-2 for the first time in the competition. Maxime Lucu and Yoram Moefana are on paper the only two who can relieve the back lines, but the presence of Sekou Macalou, officially third line but who can sometimes help out on the wing, has been designed to deal with as many situations as possible.
“Depending on how the match develops, we want to be able to press different levers, maintain power but also speed, maintain impact but also be present in aerial duels,” explained the coach. Players who are just starting out can also allow us to cover several options without changing our organization too much. »
So here are the data from this summit brought to light. Each of the two teams now has just 48 hours left to refine the battle plan. A little clarification all the same before parting: If the South African team is not quite what was expected, this quarter-final will not turn into an anthem to joy, with play either. by hand and long rides like it was raining.
“We know their tradition, they are prepared to mark the opponent, physically and mentally,” recalled Ollivon. When they enter the field it’s not to chat and play ball, it’s to walk on the guys in front. It’s not one more or less forward on the bench that will change their mentality. » We almost worried.