October 22, 2015
Rugby World Cup Semi-Final Lineups: South Africa v New Zealand
Doug Coil
October 24, 2015
South Africa v New Zealand, Semi Finals, Twickenham, London. Kick off 16:00– 11am ET
Referee: Jerome Garces Assistant Referee: Romain Poite, John Lacey; TV Match Official: George Ayoub
New Zealand has made one change to the starting line-up that defeated France in the quarter-finals. Joe Moody replaces the injured Wyatt Crockett at loose-head prop.Ben Franks is a reserve.
Richie McCaw will set a World Cup record as the captain of his side for the 12th time.With his 21st appearance in a World Cup match, McCaw will need to reach the Final to match England’s Jason Leonard record of playing in 22 RWC matches.
South Africa starting XV is unchanged to play New Zealand in the semi-final on Saturday. This starting line-up has 701 test caps’ worth of experience,which is one fewer than the most experienced starting line-up the All Blacks have ever faced in a World Cup match.
Habana has scored 15 career RWC tries, tying him for the competition record with Jonah Lomu.One more try will give Habana 65 for his test career. As a result, he would be in second place all-time.The record is 69 tries. .
South Africa Ranked 3rd: HC Heyneke Meyer Starters: 1. Tendai Mtawarira 2. Bismarck du Plessis 3. Frans Malherbe 4. Eben Etzebeth 5. Lodewyk de Jager 6. Francois Louw 7. Schalk Burger 8. Duane Vermeulen 9. Fourie du Preez (c) 10. Handré Pollard 11. Bryan Habana 12. Damian De Allende 13. Jesse Kriel 14. JP Pietersen 15. Willie le Roux Replacements: 16. Adriaan Strauss
17. Trevor Nyakane 18. Jannie du Plessis 19. Victor Matfield 20. Willem Alberts 21. Ruan Pienaar 22. Pat Lambie 23. Jan Serfontein
New Zealand Ranked 1st: HC Steve Hansen Starters: 1. Joe Moody 2. Dane Coles 3. Owen Franks 4. Brodie Retallick 5. Sam Whitelock 6. Jerome Kaino 7. Richie McCaw (c) 8. Kieran Read
9. Aaron Smith 10. Daniel Carter 11. Julian Savea 12. Ma’a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith 14. Nehe Milner-Skudder 15. Ben Smith Replacements: 16. Keven Mealamu 17. Ben Franks 18. Charlie Faumuina 19. Victor Vito 20. Sam Cane 21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
22. Beauden Barrett 23. Sonny Bill Williams