RSA team announcement (v ENG): head coach Nienaber, captain Kolisi
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Comments from South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber and captain Siya Kolisa after the announcement of an unchanged Springboks line-up for Saturday's semi-final against England at Stade de France.
Jacques Nienaber, head coach
On naming an unchanged team:
“When we had our selection meeting, there were lots of discussions but we felt everybody who played last Sunday had a proper performance, individually and as a team, so looking at that, we decided to go for continuity.
“There were no injuries, so from from a medical point of view, there was no reason to change and from a performance point of view there wasn't any reason to change.”
Siya Kolisi, captain
On the ‘beef’ that is coming their way:
“We know what happened last year [South Africa beat England 27-13 at Twickenham] and the previous World Cup [South Africa won 32-12 in the final]. Lots of their players were there and want to prove something. They have improved from before the World Cup.
“We are not silly. Our motivation doesn’t come from without, it comes from within. They will have their motives and so will we which is constant - to play for the jersey and people back home.”
More to follow.