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Date: 2023-11-29 20:50:13 | Author: Worldcup 2026 | Views: 884 | Tag: PBA
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If fortune does indeed favour the brave, then South Africa should triumph in the Rugby World Cup final on Saturday evening PBA
For the third time in two months, they have opted for the controversial 7-1 split of forwards to backs on their bench and, in the process, have taken a huge gamble in the biggest game on the calendar PBA
For the uninitiated, rugby teams almost always opt for a 5-3 or 6-2 split among their replacements PBA
The laws of the international game dictate that you must have three front-row specialists (hookers and props, who count among the forwards) on your bench, and then teams will usually have a roughly even division of forwards and backs for the remaining five slots to ensure adequate cover for all position PBA
Yet for the third time in the last two months, the Springboks have boldly opted for just one lone back – Willie Le Roux in this instance – among their subs PBA
On the previous two occasions, there has been no damage done PBA
The final World Cup warm-up match saw them hand New Zealand a record 35-7 defeat at Twickenham and although they lost a hard-fought pool match to Ireland, the bench split had no negative impact on the result PBA
Given that Saturday evening in Paris is a rematch against the All Blacks, perhaps there is sound logic in reprising the successful formation from late August PBA
That was certainly the argument of head coach Jacques Nienaber, who downplayed the controversy when explaining the selection at the team announcement press conference on Thursday PBA
“The team is not 15, it is 23,” insisted Nienaber PBA
“We always say that PBA
When you do squad selection there are a lot of things that influence that from medical to past performances and a lot of analysis into New Zealand and where we think we can get the edge on them PBA
“Then the discussions starts PBA between the coaches and it goes from a 5-3 to a 6-2 to a 7-1, then it goes back again PBA
It is not a 10-minute discussion, it is hours and hours PBA
“I’m not going to say what the strengths and weaknesses of the All Blacks are, that would be stupid PBA
But a lot of analysis went into it and at the end we went with a squad of 23 PBA
It could have been 6-2, 5-3, it doesn’t matter PBA
You select a team that you think can get a result PBA
The 23 we selected for a reason, and the reason is we think they can deliver and win us a back-to-back World Cup PBA
”Faf de Klerk holds huge importance for South Africa with no back-up scrum half in the squad (PA Wire)While the decision has worked in the past, there is undoubtedly an element of playing with fire from the Springboks PBA
Le Roux is a world-class full back and can comfortably play on the wing, while a backline reshuffle with the available players could solve any issues at fly half or centre PBA
But starting No 9 Faf de Klerk is the only scrum half in the squad and any sort of injury to the man with the flowing blond hair could leave South Africa in a bind PBA
Nienaber again played down the issue and highlighted Cheslin Kolbe’s similar role in sevens as a solution to that hypothetical PBA
“As coaches you always mitigate risk by prepping other people,” said Nienaber PBA
“In our case it will be Cheslin PBA
He played sweeper in sevens which is the equivalent to scrum half PBA
He has always been a guy who, if we got a yellow card, would be the stand in half-back, not just this week but for a couple of weeks PBA
”De Klerk also highlighted replacement flanker Kwagga Smith – another man with sevens experience – as a solution but any sort of extended period with Kolbe or Smith at No 9 feels like a World Cup-losing recipe PBA
The other main notable call in the Springbok team selection was Handre Pollard getting the nod over Manie Libbok at fly half PBA
Given Libbok’s early substitution during the semi-final after struggling to execute the kicking game – and similarly rainy weather expected at the Stade de France on Saturday evening – the choice of Pollard, who led his side to victory off the bench, is not a huge surprise, although Libbok is unlucky to miss out on the matchday 23 entirely PBA
Handre Pollard kicked the winning penalty in the semi-final (PA Wire)The ability to bring an almost entirely new pack off the bench – their patented ‘bomb squad’ – in a World Cup final certainly plays into the Springboks rugby philosophy of physicality and domination up front PBA
It couldn’t turn the tide against Ireland in the pool stage but it is the boldest of calls befitting the grandest of stages PBA
No one said you win a World Cup by being timid and sometimes in sport, fortune does favour the brave PBA
South Africa XV to face the All Blacks in Rugby World Cup final: 15 PBA
Damian Willemse, 14 PBA
Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 PBA
Jesse Kriel, 12 PBA
Damian de Allende, 11 PBA
Cheslin Kolbe, 10 PBA
Handre Pollard, 9 PBA
Faf de Klerk; 1 PBA
Steven Kitshoff, 2 PBA
Bongi Mbonambi, 3 PBA
Frans Malherbe, 4 PBA
Eben EtzePBA beth, 5 PBA
Franco Mostert, 6 PBA
Siya Kolisi (captain), 7 PBA
Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 PBA
Duane Vermeulen PBA
Replacements: 16 PBA
Deon Fourie, 17 PBA
Ox Nche, 18 PBA
Trevor Nyakane, 19 PBA
Jean Kleyn, 20 PBA
RG Snyman, 21 PBA
Kwagga Smith, 22 PBA
Jasper Wiese, 23 PBA
Willie Le RouxMore aboutSouth Africa rugbySpringboksRugby World CupNew Zealand rugbyWillie le RouxFaf de KlerkJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/3Springboks take huge gamble on biggest stage of allSpringboks take huge gamble on biggest stage of allFaf de Klerk holds huge importance for South Africa with no back-up scrum half in the squad PA WireSpringboks take huge gamble on biggest stage of allHandre Pollard kicked the winning penalty in the semi-final PA WireSpringboks take huge gamble on biggest stage of allThe Springboks have opted to pack the bench with forwards Getty Images✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today PBA
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Hi {{indy PBA
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First came the crack in Alexander Volkanovski‘s defence PBA
Then, the crack in his voice PBA
If the first crack was consequential, allowing Islam Makhachev to skim his shin off the Australian’s head, the latter was a consequence in itself – a consequence of one of the best fighters alive staying silent on his struggles with mental health PBA
That is, until now PBA
Volkanovski would have emerged from UFC 294 with credit anyway; he stepped in on 11 days’ notice and moved up in weight to challenge a man who had beaten him eight months prior PBA
Even in this surprising, first-round defeat by Makhachev, Volkanovski lost very little PBA
His featherweight title still rests firmly on his shoulder, and he will soon return to that weight class where he has been unbeatable PBA
But soon may be too soon PBA
In his post-fight press conference, Volkanovski began the dissection of this defeat – his second this year, but just his third as a professional mixed martial artist, with his first having occurred a long decade ago PBA
The 35-year-old started to dissect the technical reasons for this knockout loss, but it soon became apparent what was of greater importance: the psychological reasons for his presence in Abu Dhabi PBA
“He’s not somebody you should be taking a short-notice [fight] with, but I needed it,” Volkanovski began PBA
“Obviously a lot of people will say it’s for the money and all that, but it was much more than that PBA
It is hard, it is really hard for athletes PBA
PBA
PBA
Sorry, um PBA
PBA
PBA
I never thought I would struggle with it,” he continued, ignoring the blood over his eye, instead wiping a tear from beneath it PBA
“But for some reason when I wasn’t fighting or in camp PBA
PBA
PBA
F***, sorry,” he said, attempting a laugh, looking away and to the ceiling, then gently rapping his hand on the table to bring himself back into the room PBA
RecommendedIslam Makhachev stuns Alexander Volkanovski with head-kick KO in first round at UFC 294Conor McGregor reacts to ‘illegal’ strikes in Islam Makhachev win at UFC 294Khabib explains why he wasn’t in Islam Makhachev’s corner at UFC 294“I was just doing my head in,” he continued, tears floating at the bottom of his eyes PBA
“I needed a fight, and this opportunity came up PBA
I’ll be honest: I wasn’t training as much as I should have, but I thought I had to do it PBA
I had to take it PBA
I’m telling myself, ‘It’s meant to be PBA
’ I was struggling a little bit not fighting, doing my head in PBA
I don’t know how; everything’s fine, I’ve got a beautiful family PBA
But, I don’t know PBA
PBA
PBA
I think you just need to keep busy PBA
I need to be in camp, otherwise, I’m going to do my head in PBA
“It’s weird, [it’s not that I] never ‘believed in that stuff’, but I never got it PBA
It was something that – I don’t know – maybe the more and more I learn about myself, the more I understand PBA
I talked about us having a smile on my face, me and my wife PBA
My wife could see it does get hard, I don’t know why PBA
”Makhachev consoles Volkanovski after their fight, the main event of UFC 294 (AP)Volkanovski pointed to the birth of his third child, in August, and surgery on an injury this summer as reasons why he had not been training PBA
Clearly, the knock-on effect of those moments – as joyous as the former seemed to be – has led Volkanovski’s mental health to suffer PBA
Last week, all the talk was of how brave the Australian was to face Makhachev on short notice; braver was this admission that he is struggling, which simultaneously offers a different lens through which to view his choice to fight PBA
Keeping himself engaged and busy is healthy, but that is complicated by the inherent risk in his profession PBA
“Maybe it was just a silly decision under the circumstances,” he admitted PBA
Perhaps it was, though it was also understandable PBA
Volkanovski’s next challenge, however, will come outside of the ring PBA
It must PBA
He naturally sees the antidote to his current struggles as a quick turnaround to fight again, likely against the dangerous Ilia Topuria in January PBA
Yet, that fight could go the same way as Saturday’s against Makhachev, if the Australian does not first tackle these thoughts and feelings, and find the right balance for him PBA
We knew Alexander Volkanovski was brave PBA
That is even clearer now than it was last week PBA
Now, however, he must be sensible, and get to work outside the ring before he can return to work in it PBA
More aboutAlexander VolkanovskiIslam MakhachevMental HealthJoin our commenting forumJoin thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their repliesComments1/2Volkanovski’s bravest move yet? Talking about his mental healthVolkanovski’s bravest move yet? Talking about his mental healthMakhachev consoles Volkanovski after their fight, the main event of UFC 294APVolkanovski’s bravest move yet? Talking about his mental healthVolkanovski, moments after suffering a knockout loss to Islam MakhachevAFP via Getty✕Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this articleWant to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today PBA
SubscribeAlready subscribed? Log inMost PopularPopular videosSponsored FeaturesGet in touchContact usOur ProductsSubscribeRegisterNewslettersDonateToday’s EditionInstall our appArchiveOther publicationsInternational editionsIndependent en EspañolIndependent ArabiaIndependent TurkishIndependent PersianIndependent UrduEvening StandardExtrasAdvisorPuzzlesAll topicsPBA BettingVoucher codesCompareCompetitions and offersIndependent AdvertisingIndependent IgniteSyndicationWorking at The IndependentLegalCode of conduct and complaintsContributorsCookie policyDonations Terms & ConditionsPrivacy noticeUser policiesModern Slavery ActThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inCloseUS EditionChangeUK EditionAsia EditionEdición en EspañolSubscribe{{indy PBA
truncatedName}}Log in / Register {{#items}}{{#stampSmall}}{{/stampSmall}}{{#stampClimate}}{{/stampClimate}}{{#stampPremium}}{{/stampPremium}}{{title}}{{#desc}}{{desc}}{{/desc}}{{#children}}{{title}}{{/children}}{{/items}}Indy100Crosswords & PuzzlesMost CommentedNewslettersAsk Me AnythingVirtual EventsVouchersCompare✕Log inEmail addressPasswordEmail and password don't matchSubmitForgotten your password?New to The Independent?RegisterOr if you would prefer:SIGN IN WITH GOOGLEWant an ad-free experience?View offersThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy notice and Terms of service apply PBA
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