South Africa Assistant Coach Stick Confirms No Late Changes for Rugby World Cup Quarter-Final

South Africa assistant coach Mzwandile Stick has shut down claims from France’s team manager Raphael Ibanez that the Springboks could make late changes to their lineup for the Rugby World Cup quarter-final this weekend.

Stick confirmed on Saturday that there will be no alterations to the team that was announced earlier, despite Ibanez suggesting otherwise. The decision to start Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok over experienced players Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard raised eyebrows, but Stick defended the choice, stating that the team selection process involved healthy discussions among the coaching staff.

The Springboks will face a sense of deja vu on Sunday as they take on the tournament hosts, France, whom they defeated in the 2019 World Cup final. Stick emphasized that the team is well-prepared for the challenge ahead and highlighted the importance of having players like Pollard and De Klerk on the bench to close out tight games.

Despite the lack of experience at half-back, South Africa will rely on the expertise of Eben Etzebeth and Franco Mostert in the lock positions, both of whom played crucial roles in the team’s World Cup triumph in 2019. France’s lock Cameron Woki acknowledged the challenge posed by the South African second-row duo and emphasized the need for his team to match them physically.

With tensions running high ahead of the highly anticipated quarter-final clash, both teams are gearing up for a fierce battle on the field. Stick’s assurance of sticking to the original team selection has put an end to speculation and set the stage for an exciting showdown between two rugby powerhouses.