France vs South Africa: Tipping the Scales With the Big Men in the Trenches

• France have prepared for South Africa's physicality and have a host of domestic champions ready
• South Africa will sorely miss Malcom Marx who is a marksman in both the lineouts and the breakdown
• France and South Africa will contest the last quarter-final of an incredible Rugby World Cup weekend

The glamour is taken by the backline, but the foundations of greatness are laid by the forwards.

The eight men making up the scrummaging packs for France and South Africa are athletic mountains

From the first whistle, these men in the trenches will arm-wrestle for every metre, giving not an inch.

At the back of scrums are two giants of the game, Duane Vermeulen and Gregory Alldritt.

Aldritt is a master of turnovers and perhaps more mobile than his South African counterpart, who is playing his 117th international.

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However, Vermeulen strikes fear into his opponents. Nicknamed 'Thor', perhaps 'Man of Steel' may be more appropriate.

France may have the slightest advantage in the loose forwards with Charles Ollivon and Anthony Jelonch

Pieter-Steph du Toit is a former World Player of the Year and captain Siya Kolisi has a nation willing him on, but the frenchmen are in the form of their lives.

Few have supremacy over Eben Etzebeth, and with Franco Mosterst, the Springbok locks have the edge over Thibaud Flament and Cameron Woki.

The early clashes of the front row will determine who has the initial phycological edge.

Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi and Steven Kitshoff will have the weight of their pack, and their nation, countering the power generated by the crowd for Uini Atonio, Peato Mauvaka and Cyril Baille.

The game is won in the second half, giving the men on the benches a huge responsibility.

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Rassie Erasmus claims he has been consciously building depth, and Sunday night will prove if it has been fruitful.

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Sports Brief recently compared the men in the backline that hold the keys to unlocking opposition defences.

The teams lining up for France and South Africa on Sunday night's quarters have an embarrassment of riches.

Every slot on a rugby field brings a unique task, with each being a key cog in these match-winning machines.