adminGUILDFORD. — Bismarck du Plessis remains in an unchanged South Africa side for their Rugby World Cup semi-final against New Zealand on Saturday. South Africa coach Heyneke Meyer hailed the current All Blacks as the best side in history as he named his XV for the Twickenham clash. Hooker du Plessis had been doubtful after having his hand ‘studded’ accidentally by team-mate Francois Louw during the quarter-final win over Wales at Twickenham last weekend.
But Meyer named du Plessis in the XV which is unchanged from the quarter-final. Veteran lock Victor Matfield, who missed the last three matches with a hamstring injury returns on the bench in place of Pieter-Steph du Toit.
South Africa (15-1)
Willie le Roux; JP Pietersen, Jesse Kriel, Damien de Allende, Bryan Habana; Handre Pollard, Fourie du Preez (capt); Duane Vermeulen, Schalk Burger, Francois Louw; Lodewyk de Jager, Eben Etzebeth; Frans Malherbe, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai Mtawarira
Replacements: Adriaan Strauss, Trevor Nyakane, Jannie du Plessis, Victor Matfield, Willem Alberts, Ruan Pienaar, Pat Lambie, Jan Serfontein. — AFP.
Online Reporter