The scene is set and it’s all systems go for the 2023 Rugby World Cup final between the Springboks and All Blacks in Paris on Saturday night.

This is hands down the biggest World Cup final to date with the Springboks as well as the All Blacks being three-time champions, while South Africa are the title holders until at least tomorrow night.

The Boks will want to make a big statement if one takes into consideration that this World Cup was meant to be hosted in South Africa, however, it was controversially awarded to France.

The Springboks will field a team with 1316 Test caps between them, while the All Blacks boast a total of 1387 caps.

There is rain predicted for Paris tomorrow night while this will be a leveller, the Boks game plan is perhaps better suited to the conditions.

Siya Kolisi - Morgan Piek

The Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, who will be playing in his 83rd Test said it will be the biggest game of his life.

“It’s probably the biggest game of my life,” said Kolisi.

“I don’t think it will happen in our lifetimes again that we have another game like this, and we are excited. We know how good they are.

“One only has to look at how they turned things around quietly after going through a dip last year to see that. The fight they showed to get here says a lot about them as a team. Very few people gave them a chance to be here, and we are looking forward to Saturday.

“What we do on Saturday can control the mood of over 62 million South Africans.

“People have been sending messages saying when we play it is the only time, they are happy, and as a team we represent all kinds of people.”

The final will be a farewell to the head coach, Jacques Nienaber and his assistant, Felix Jones. While Duane Vermeulen is the one player that confirmed that he will be retiring.

Aaron Smith, Brodie Retallick and Damian McKenzie - RWC/Getty

Meanwhile, the All Blacks will also be set for a changing of guards after the final, with the head coach, Ian Foster, also set to call it a day.

Aaron Smith, Beauden Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock and Dane Coles will all play in the famous black jersey for the last time.

Fossie said while he as well as Smith and the others are set for their last dance, now is not the time to be sentimental.

“We know it’s the last game for some iconic players but that could be the case on both teams,” said Foster.

“Quite frankly we don’t want to talk too much about that. We think there’s time afterwards. Right now the occasion in front of us is so exciting and we don’t want to waste a day thinking about post-game.”

Saturday night’s historic final at Stade de France in Paris kicks off at 21:00. Meanwhile, on Friday night at 21:00, the Los Pumas of Argentina will tackle England in the Bronze Final that will also be played in Paris.

Springboks - 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damiande Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 DuaneVermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 EbenEtzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff.

Replacements - 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20RG Snyman, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Jasper Wiese, 23 Willie le Roux.

All Blacks - 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 JordieBarrett, 11 Mark Telea, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 SamCane (captain), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 TyrelLomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot

Replacements - 16 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19Sam Whitelock, 20 Dalton Papali'i, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23Anton Lienert-Brown

Morgan Piek OFM Sport