The Springboks have opted for continuity heading into their Rugby World Cup semi-final against England in Paris.

The Bok management has shown faith in their team that beat France 29-28 on Sunday in the quarter-finals by naming an unchanged squad for the game against the English.

While there were sore bodies and the highly physical game against the French, the Boks boast with a fully fit squad, and continuity for the semi-final is an advantage.

While earlier in the week Rassie Erasmus hinted at strategic changes, it would have been hard to drop anyone following the game last week.

Handré Pollard - Getty/RWC

The flyhalf, Handré Pollard, who played against England in the 2019 World Cup final said the English will come at them hard, but they welcome the challenge that awaits.

“You could see on their faces four years ago the disappointment after we beat them in the RWC 2019 final.

“I have been part of a squad that has been knocked out in the semi-final of a World Cup in 2015 and it sits with you the rest of your life. There are a lot of things you look back on and think you could have done differently.

“I'm sure they will come with that mindset this week. I think they will be ruthless and I think they will take the intensity and physicality to a whole new level.

“But that being said, we are ready for that, we are prepared for that and we enjoy that. If there is going to be beef, there is going to be beef. It's test rugby, it's 80 minutes and we have just got to play the game.”

Billy Vunipola - Getty/RWC

Meanwhile, in the English camp they are expecting nothing less than a physical Test against the current title holders.

While the Boks are the bigger pack, the English tend not to shy away from physicality and they have players such as Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, Billy Vunipola and Tom Curry that can also dish it out.

Even the captain and flyhalf Owen Farrell enjoys getting right into the thick of things when the occasion presents itself.

The English attack coach, Kevin Sinfield, said they are prepared for what lies ahead against South Africa, a team they consider to be the best defensive unit in World Rugby.

“You tell me what part of the game is a weakness and I'd say something similar about the French, the Irish, even the All Blacks at the minute the way they're playing.

“We understand this team are very, very smart, they are coached particularly well and they are right across the laws, they understand all the intricacies and we've got to be ready for whatever comes on Saturday evening.”

The semi-finals will kick-off on Friday night when the three-time champions, New Zealand lock horns against Argentina in Paris. The All Blacks have their sights set on a fifth final, while the Los Pumas are looking to advance to the championship match for the first time.

This game in Paris kicks off at 21:00 on Friday night, while on Saturday at the same time it’s South Africa versus England.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport