Stick, Willemse and De Allende chat ahead of France clash
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Mzwandile Stick, assistant coach
On the support for the team:
"It's very special to have our South African fans to come all the way to support us. It shows how much it means to our country. We know people back at home are really behind us 100 per cent, that is how big the game is. It's bigger than us."
On anticipation being bigger for this match than for the game against Ireland or the match against France in Marseille last year:
“It is play-offs. There is no second chance. It’s a big game playing against the host nation. They are in a good space as a team. I think this is way bigger than the game against Ireland. We will make sure that we pitch up, we’ve done all our prep.
"It is going to be a tough occasion. They are playing at home but we are also here to represent our country. We have been here before, we understand the challenge and hopefully we will be on the right side of the scoreboard.”
On the pressure of the occasion, being world champions:
"We are playing against France and we know they are also in a good space as a team. They have won all their games, they had a big game against the All Blacks in the first game of the group stage and did very well. The nice thing for us is we have been in this position before. In Japan in 2019, it was the same thing, playing Japan with all their supporters. It is the nature of the game in a World Cup, you have to go through the tough ones.
"At least we have a good reference point. We have been here before. Every game we play now, we can’t afford not to capitalise on the opportunities that are created. It is going to be a tight game. We are well prepared but we will see tomorrow. It doesn’t get bigger than this."
On if there will be any changes to the team before kick-off:
"No, my friend, the team is announced, we will stick with that, if there is someone sick overnight or injured that [could change the team]."
On Duane Vermeulen's influence:
"Duane is part of our leadership group even if it isn't in the matchday 23, he leads from the front. He is one of our massively experienced players, he knows how to play big moments.
"Going into the quarter-final against France having heads like Siya [Kolisi], Bongi [Mbonambi], Handre [Pollard] on the bench with Faf [de Klerk], we have a strong group out there. If you look at our balance, our forwards average 50 caps. Experience-wise, Duane will surely have a positive impact on the field."
On if team selection was a debate:
"Normally as coaches, when we select our squad, it probably changes three times before we actually announce it. There is always a debate amongst them, it is a healthy discussion between us coaches. It is sad for the guys who are not even in the match-day 23. If you look at a guy like Andre Esterhuizen, playing well for us, and Canan Moodie.
"We looked at the balance of the team. Having guys like Handre Pollard and Faf [de Klerk] on the bench, if the game gets tight we have guys who can close the game for us.
"With Cobus [Reinach] and Manie Libbok as a partnership, form-wise whenever Cobus gets an opportunity he really plays very well for us and Manie Libbok has changed the way we play. You can see how we play. The quality of the tries we have been scoring lately, they are good team tries. Manie Libbok is our general. He is playing very well for us and is a very, very confident player and deserves to be in the starting line-up. You can’t ask for any better playmaker to play behind.
"I think it will take the whole 23 players. It is going to be a tough one. As we’ve been saying all week, to us it is bigger than just a rugby game. We have 60 million people in South Africa that are hoping [for a win] tomorrow at nine o’clock, they will forget about all the problems in their lives. Everyone is on the one page and celebrating the moment in front of them, which is the Springboks when they are playing."
On if they banged heads on selection:
"There is always a debate, and the nice thing for us is it is always a healthy debate. If we are always going to be nice to each other we wouldn't be doing our job for the 60 million South Africans. There were massive debates, we aren't always right but we think this is the best 23 to handle France away from home.
"[Take] Handre Pollard, we know he has done a job for us before. Before he played the game against Tonga he had only played 30 minutes. We gave him an opportunity against Tonga, I thought [he played well]. But [Manie] Libbok, if you go back to the game we played against France last year he came off the bench in that and the way we played, the challenges he gave France, there were a lot of positive things, even though we didn't enjoy losing.
"We know their crowd is always going to be hostile to us. It is a big moment for us and we are going to enjoy the challenge."
Damian de Allende, centre (pictured left)
On being world champions already and if it makes them more relaxed:
"I think you guys [media] are overthinking it, we have won a World Cup. We put a lot of hard work into 2019, these past three, four years we have put in a lot of hard work. I feel as individuals we have come a long way to make the team better. I wouldn't say we are more relaxed, we have won a quarter-final before but that doesn't mean we won't be nervous tomorrow. I know for a fact all 23 guys playing tomorrow are looking forward to it."
On France centres Gael Fickou and Jonathan Danty:
"I think they are both great players. Obviously two very versatile players. Gael has very good touches and quick feet and Danty does as well. He is a bit more direct then Gael but I won't go into their strengths and weaknesses because I'll be giving something away but I am just looking forward to the challenge. I know Jesse [Kriel] is as well and I'm sure they are. Just excited for tomorrow, I can't wait to get going."
On his physicality:
"I will try to play the situation in front of me but I am not going to shy away because they are a little bit bigger."
Damian Willemse, full-back (pictured right)
On the kicking battle:
"Obviously we know they prefer to kick the ball long and we have made plans to counter that. I think we will have to analyse how the game goes tomorrow and see how we find spaces. We are aware of it, we have made some plans around their kicking game, their back three and how we nullify that.
"I think there are a few opportunities where we can take them on."
On how he views France:
"I think they have threats, they have a very good forward pack and dangerous backs. Thomas Ramos, [Antoine] Dupont are very accurate kickers, They have threats all over. They are number two in the world, we are number three. They are a very good team."
On if it's extra motivation to play with more ball:
"Obviously having more possession means we will need to get out of our half a bit more. That is why we have a few plans and we are going to implement tomorrow. We have plans but they might bring something else, a different tactic on the day. We have prepped on a certain gameplan and we'll assist what they are trying to do in the first five to 10 minutes and then if there is something they change we [will adapt]."
On how the team has evolved from 2019:
"Obviously looking back to 2019 as a team, coaching staff, management we have all developed our game. Everyone is four years older so guys bodies are taking a bit longer to recover! But I think we have had a very good week, we have prepared to the best of our ability and I think all the talking has been done. It's going to be showtime soon for us and we have to deliver. We can't bank on what happened four years ago, tomorrow is a different challenge for us. We are really excited about that."
