Rugby World Cup 2023: South Africa Picks Manie Libbok and Cobus Reinach for France Cracker

• South Africa will take on hosts France in a quarter-final game at the ongoing Rugby World Cup
• The Springboks head coach Jacques Nienaber has called Manie Libbok and Cobus Reinach for the tie
• Handre Pollard, who has been impressive so far, will not be in the starting line-up

Manie Libbok and Cobus Reinach have been picked for South Africa’s crucial Rugby World Cup 2023 quarter-final clash against France.

South Africa's head coach Jacques Nienaber has announced the squad to face the Europeans at the famous Stade de France on Sunday, October 15.

The Springboks have only lost one game in the competition so far, coming after Libbok misfired with the boot in their clash against Ireland.

Handre Pollard, who has been impressive so far, was available and in action in their final Pool B game against Tonga, but Libbok will start against France.

Surprise duo set for top-of-the-table clash in France

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The utility player will be partnered by Cobus Reinach in a surprise call at scrum-half.

Reinach will replace Faf de Klerk for Sunday's match, with head coach Jacques Nienaber saying he is better suited to dealing with the French kicking game. He said, via BBC:

"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.

South Africa:

Willemse; Arendse, Kriel, De Allende, Kolbe; Libbok, Reinach; Kitshoff, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, Mostert, Kolisi (capt), Du Toit, Vermeulen.

On the other end, Dupont will start for the French side against Springboks.

Brits anticipate France vs South Africa tie

Sports Brief earlier reported that former Springbok forward Schalk Brits has analysed what will define the clash.

He admitted to having loved watching the two teams over the past few years and said it was regrettable that such a quality tie came so early in the competition.

French talisman Antoine Dupont has been a point of contention throughout the week, and in the days before the highly-anticipated contest, questions have been raised about the wisdom of playing the scrumhalf so soon after his injury.