PARIS (AP) — South Africa provided a big surprise on Friday by naming Cobus Reinach to start at scrumhalf ahead of regular Faf de Klerk in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal against France, while Manie Libbok keeps his place at flyhalf.
The Springboks also went with veteran Duane Vermeulen at No. 8 for Sunday's game against the hosts at Stade de France. Jasper Wiese started in the big pool game against Ireland but didn't make the match 23.
De Klerk and backup flyhalf Handre Pollard are among three backs on the bench as the defending champion went with a traditional 5-3 split in the reserves.
The rest of the starting 15 is as expected, with Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel retained as the first-choice center combination and Cheslin Kolbe, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Damian Willemse the back three.
Steven Kitshoff, Bongi Mbonambi and Frans Malherbe are in the front row and reserve hooker Deon Fourie, props Ox Nche and Vincent Koch, lock RG Snyman and loose forward Kwagga Smith are all set to come off the bench in the Boks' bomb squad of forwards.
France won the last meeting between the two in November, its first victory over the Springboks since 2009.
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South Africa: Damian Willemse, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Manie Libbok, Cobus Reinach; Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff. Reserves: Deon Fourie, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Faf de Klerk, Handre Pollard, Willie le Roux.
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AP Rugby World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
