The Springboks are fine-tuning ahead of the big Rugby World Cup game against Ireland in Paris on Saturday evening.

The Boks named their match 23 on Tuesday evening and as expected the reigning World Champions went with their strongest available team for the crunch game.

The Irish will only name their team today and it is expected that they will also name their strongest side, as was the game with their games against Romania and Tonga.

While the Boks will bring physicality, strong defence, and lethal pace outside, their one major concern remains the lack of a reliable kicker from the tee.

The flyhalf Manie Libbok will take the kicking duties again, while Faf de Klerk will also step into the role if required.

Libbok, who is truly an explosive player with a certain x-factor, conceded that his kicking at goal is something he continues to work on.

Manie Libbok - Getty

“My whole game is going to be important, every part of it - if it is kicking for goal, if it is kicking out of hand, if it is my attacking with ball in hand. Every bit of it is going to be important,” said the backline marshal.

“I'm just working hard on my basic skills and regarding my kicking on goal - I've put a lot of work on it to get it right.”

The Irish are the world number ones for a good reason and their consistency over the last few years has led to them being considered as the team to beat at the World Cup.

They will take a lot of confidence out of beating the Springboks in Dublin last year, while they did manage a historic series win against the All Blacks in New Zealand.

Like the Springboks, their pack is something they take a tremendous amount of pride in and they do believe that they can go toe-to-toe with the very best.

John Fogarty - Ireland Rugby

The Irish forwards coach, John Fogarty, who was in Bloemfontein last year with the Ireland A team for the Toyota Challenge, said they won’t give an inch.

“As a group of forwards, we’re incredibly fit and powerful, we’ve prepared for the weekend. It’s going to be a battle, one we feel the players will be ready for,” said Fogarty.

“There’s definitely an edge, it’s an incredibly exciting week to be involved in. Everybody wants to be in the starting XV.

“To be playing the world champions in Paris -  there’s a tendency sometimes to want to get to the end of the week quickly, but it’s about understanding the plan, and how we’re going to impose our game on South Africa. Game faces are on.”

Saturday’s game at Stade de France kicks off at 21:00.

On Tuesday night Italy made it two wins in a row with a 38-17 victory over Uruguay in Nice. On Wednesday night at 21:00 the host France will face Namibia in Pool A. A win for Les Blues this evening will confirm their spot in the quarter-finals after wins against the All Blacks and Uruguay in their first two games.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport