One side have gone with a 5-3 split on the bench, the other 6-2. One have picked a brilliant playmaker at fly-half over a consistent goal-kicker; the other the World Cup’s leading points scorer. One have talked about being nice to referees and wanting to be liked; the other risked international condemnation by rushing back their best player from a serious head injury in pursuit of victory.
One team is France, one is South Africa. You would never have guessed which was which just a few weeks ago. Answer: South Africa are the first in each dichotomy.
In case you missed it, tonight’s winners will face England in the semi-final after Owen Farrell led a hard-fought victory over Fiji.
Some pre-match reading from Jonathan Liew on how South Africa’s 1995 triumph inspired Fabien Galthié, and why the France head coach took his players to see the ruins of Notre Dame.
Starting XV: 15 Thomas Ramos; 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gaël Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey; 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (c); 1 Cyril Baille, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 3 Uini Atonio; 4 Cameron Woki, 5 Thibaud Flament; 6 Anthony Jelonch, 7 Charles Ollivon, 8 Gregory Alldritt.
Replacements:16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Francois Cros, 21 Sekou Macalou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Yoram Moefana.
South Africa
Starting XV: 15 Damian Willemse; 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe; 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach; 1 Steven Kitshoff 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 3 Frans Malherbe; 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Franco Mostert; 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements:16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Handre Pollard, 23 Willie Le Roux.
Even for a World Cup quarter-final, this is a massive game. It’s the hosts against the holders, second v third in the world; whoever wins will become favourites to win it all. This clash of titans would do quite nicely as the final. But here we are: c’est la vie.
Fabian Galthié had expected to lead the Republic to victory as the kings of a northern renaissance, but this weekend the southern hemisphere has struck back. South Africa, lurking with intent ever since their defeat to a now-eliminated Ireland side three week ago, will hope to continue that trend tonight.
Jacques Nienaber’s ruthless disruptors are a true big-game team, a Death Star of a squad without so much as a thermal exhaust port to fire at hopefully. France have pinned hopes on their prodigal son, Antoine Dupont, who is back in the side after the cheekbone injury that shook a nation.
The hosts have offered us drama and romance, stunning the All Blacks to ignite the tournament and producing spells of interstellar rugby despite the absence of Dupont. Like New Zealand last night, South Africa are here to grind a dream to dust. The unstoppable force meets the immovable object, and something’s got to give.