The World Cup quarter-final between hosts France and South Africa on Sunday will be a heavyweight clash, but the Springboks are better equipped to land the killer blow, writes MARK KEOHANE.
Writing for TimesLIVE, Keohane highlights the significance of discipline and keeping 15 players on the field for the Boks to ensure victory over Les Bleus in Paris.
He mentions South Africa’s 30-26 loss to France in November 2022, where the reigning world champions played with 14 men against 15 for a significant period.
Keohane, though, believes that the Boks are the physically superior team and should maintain discipline to prevent the prolific Thomas Ramos from capitalising on penalty opportunities on goal.
“The scoreboard favoured France in Marseille, but everything else spoke to South Africa being the better team,” he writes. “Physically, the Boks were immense, and the French players acknowledged afterwards that they had never experienced such strength in the collisions and contact areas.
“Discipline will be non-negotiable for the Springboks. Ramos is among the most accurate goalkickers, and discipline takes his boot out of the game.”
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He also emphasises that France, led by coach Fabian Galthie and defense expert Shaun Edwards, plays a low-risk game, relying on a strong set piece, accurate kicking for field position, and Ramos’ goal-kicking accuracy.
However, Keohane backs the Boks to win and continue their defence of the Webb Ellis Cup, especially with Duane Vermeulen and Handre Pollard returning to the lineup and the pressure on France as the host nation.
“These world champion Boks have been there before. The same can’t be said of the home team, whose players have never won a World Cup,” he writes.
“Defence, discipline and a stronger set piece all favour the Boks, which is why I have them to knock the hosts out.”
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