Boks' 7/1 move harnesses 'best possible 23' to counter All Blacks, says Stick

PARIS. – Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said that deciding on the outrageous seven-one bench split for Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final against New Zealand was informed by needing to pick their best available 23 to suit their strengths.

Stick, who deftly, and with a smile, avoided a question regarding the off-field racial storm involving Bongi Mbonambi, said their selection needed to challenge what the All Blacks will bring to the plate.

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The Boks were also greeted with sunshine and better weather for their captain’s run at the Stade des Fauvettes in Domont, north of Paris, as they wrapped up their World Cup final preparations.

Along with a clutch of fans, Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa, Justice Minister Ronald Lamola and acting South African ambassador to France Nthabiseng Makuwa were in attendance at the ground, singing for the Springboks and warmly greeting the players on a cold, but clear morning.

"We’ve had to pick the best possible 23 to perform against New Zealand, because they’ve got some very special players," Stick said.

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"They have a lot of X-factor players and they’re going to keep the ball in play, so to have seven fresh forwards coming into the game, that was one of our key focus points.

"We’ve done it before and it worked, and, in the Ireland game, we performed well, but we didn’t convert our chances.

"We know the ball-in-play challenge we’re going to face from the All Blacks."

The seven-one split will see players like Cheslin Kolbe, Damian Willemse and Kwagga Smith having to fully utilise their utility skills.

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