{"id":338499,"date":"2023-10-14T00:15:18","date_gmt":"2023-10-14T00:15:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=338499"},"modified":"2023-10-14T03:00:43","modified_gmt":"2023-10-14T03:00:43","slug":"scary-thought-hanging-over-qf-showdown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=338499","title":{"rendered":"'Scary thought' hanging over QF showdown"},"content":{"rendered":"

France<\/a> or South Africa<\/a> will not make it to a Rugby World Cup<\/a> semi-final this year.<\/p>\n

That, says former Wallabies<\/a> international Stephen Hoiles, is a scary thought in itself considering the pedigree of the two teams.<\/p>\n

France are hosts of the tournament and third in the world rankings while South Africa won the last edition of the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and currently sit second in the standings.<\/p>\n

Watch all the action from Rugby World Cup 2023 on the home of rugby, Stan Sport.<\/strong><\/em> Every match ad free, live and on demand in 4K UHD<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

There's an element of exception for both sides with France hitting their stride and South Africa in the throes of a purple patch themselves.<\/p>\n

\"Antoine<\/p>\n

France are unbeaten so far and South Africa suffered a narrow loss to Ireland in their titanic pool clash, downed 13-8 in a match they had multiple opportunities to win.<\/p>\n

Ultimately, one team will bomb out.<\/p>\n

If history is anything to go by, then South Africa have that on their side. France haven't gotten further than a quarter-final since 2011 when they were runners-up to New Zealand.\u00a0<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Eddie reveals next step after returning to Australia<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> Ireland fans, iconic Cranberries hit taking over France<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

READ MORE:\ufeff<\/strong> All Blacks ace axed for Ireland after breaking curfew<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

However, at home, there's a feeling they could finally get the job done and finally win the title.<\/p>\n

"They're probably already feeling it because they've been excellent," said Hoiles on Stan Sport's RWC Central<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

"By beating the All Blacks, that really set up their campaign. They've always been preparing to win and they;ve developed this side so well over a number of years.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"France<\/p>\n

"Beating the All Blacks, Stade de France, game one, it's got the nation onside. There probably is pressure but French love that, I believe. I believe that is what they've been craving for so many years. They want this public support.\u00a0<\/p>\n

"It's scary to think that one of these sides won't be playing in a World Cup semi-final. South Africa, who are just experts when it comes to this level, and the French, who along with Ireland are genuine favourites to win this World Cup. They've been outstanding."<\/p>\n

Hoiles said he doesn't see a flaw in the French game.<\/p>\n

With the return of Antoine Dupont, there's a feeling that France has all the right ingredients for a run to the final.<\/p>\n

\"Siya<\/p>\n

However, if there's one team that can stop them, it's South Africa.<\/p>\n

"That's what's going to be so intriguing \u2013 they're going to come up against the might of the Springboks," said Hoiles.<\/p>\n

"This game, like every other game, this is so intriguing \u2013 who will win and how they'll win.<\/p>\n

"When the French get on a roll, they've been near unstoppable in the last 18 months. South Africa are the best team at stopping teams get on that roll."\u00a0<\/p>\n

NEW PODCAST! Michael Atkinson, Sam Worthington and Tom Decent make sense of Portugal's historic upset of Fiji and Australia's Rugby World Cup exit then look \ufeffat some bumper quarter-finals<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

https:\/\/omny.fm\/shows\/rugby-world-cup-inside-line\/wallabies-review\/embed?in_playlist=podcast<\/a><\/p>\n

How can I watch every Rugby World Cup quarter-final?<\/h2>\n

Every match is live, ad-free, and exclusively on Stan Sport.<\/p>\n

Sunday Stan Sport schedule + kick-off times (AEDT)<\/h2>\n

1.30am – Wales vs Argentina (2am kick-off)<\/p>\n

5.30am – Ireland vs New Zealand (6am kick-off)\ufeff<\/p>\n

Monday Stan Sport schedule + kick-off time\ufeffs (AEDT)<\/h2>\n

1.30am – England vs Fiji (2am kick-off)<\/p>\n

5.30am – France vs South Africa (6am kick-off)\ufeff<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/rugbyworldcup\/status\/1711153245929058760<\/a><\/p>\n

Wales vs Argentina teams<\/h2>\n

WALES (15-1):<\/strong> Liam Williams, Louis Rees Zammit, George North, Nick Tompkins, Josh Adams, Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies, Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, Jac Morgan (c), Adam Beard, Will Rowlands, Tomas Francis, Ryan Elias, Gareth Thomas<\/p>\n

Reserves:<\/strong> Dewi Lake, Corey Domachowski, Dillon Lewis, Dafydd Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza, Tomos Williams, Sam Costelow, Rio Dyer<\/p>\n

ARGENTINA (15-1):<\/strong> Juan Cruz Mallia, Emiliano Boffelli, Lucio Cinti, Santiago Chocobares, Mateo Carreras, Santiago Carreras, Tomas Cubelli, Facundo Isa, Marcos Kremer, Juan Martin Gonzalez, Tomas Lavanini, Guido Petti, Francisco G\u00f3mez Kodela, Julian Montoya (c), Thomas Gallo<\/p>\n

Reserves:<\/strong> Agust\u00edn Creevy, Joel Sclavi, Eduardo Bello, Matias Alemanno, Rodrigo Bruni, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Nicolas Sanchez, Mat\u00edas Moroni<\/p>\n

\ufeffIreland vs New Zealand teams<\/h2>\n

NEW ZEALAND (15-1):\ufeff<\/strong> Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane (c), Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot<\/p>\n

Reserves:<\/strong> Dane Coles, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Sam Whitelock, Dalton Papali'i, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown<\/p>\n

\ufeffIRELAND (15-1):<\/strong> Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Jonathan Sexton (c), Jamison Gibson-Park, Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Peter O'Mahony, Iain Henderson, Tadhg Beirne, Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter<\/p>\n

Reserves:<\/strong> Ronan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Joe McCarthy, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, Jimmy O'Brien<\/p>\n

England vs Fiji teams<\/h2>\n

ENGLAND (15-1):<\/strong> Marcus Smith, Jonny May, Joe Marchant, Manu Tuilagi, Elliot Daly, Owen Farrell (c), Alex Mitchell, Ben Earl, Tom Curry, Courtney Lawes, Ollie Chessum, Maro Itoje, Dan Cole, Jamie George, Ellis Genge<\/p>\n

Reserves:<\/strong> Theo Dan, Joe Marler, Kyle Sinckler, George Martin, Billy Vunipola, Danny Care, George Ford, Ollie Lawrence<\/p>\n

FIJI (15-1) :<\/strong> Ilaisa Droasese, Vinaya Habosi, Waisea Nayacalevu (c), Josua Tuisova, Semi Radradra, Vilimoni Botitu, Frank Lomani, Viliame Mata, Levani Botia, Lekima Tagitagivalu, Albert Tuisue, Isoa Nasilasila, Luke Tagi, Tevita Ikanivere, Eroni Mawi<\/p>\n

Reserves:<\/strong> Sam Matavesi, Peni Ravai, Mesake Doge, Meli Derenalagi, Vilive Miramira, Simione Kuruvoli, Iosefo Masi, Sireli Maqala<\/p>\n

France vs South Africa teams\ufeff<\/h2>\n

\ufeffFRANCE (15-1):<\/strong> Thomas Ramos, Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Jonathan Danty, Louis Bielle-Biarrey, Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Dupont (c), Gregory Alldritt, Charles Ollivon, Anthony Delonch, Thibaud Flament, Cameron Woki, Uini Atonio, Peato Mauvaka, Cyril Baille<\/p>\n

Reserves:<\/strong> Pierre Bourgarit, Reda Wardi, Dorian Aldegheri, Romain Taofifenua, Francois Cros, Sekou Macalou, Maxime Lucu, Yoram Moefana<\/p>\n

SOUTH AFRICA (15-1):<\/strong> Damian Willemse, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Cheslin Kolbe, Manie Libbok, Cobus Reinach, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (c), Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff<\/p>\n

Reserves:<\/strong> Deon Fourie, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith, Faf de Klerk, Handre Pollard, Willie le Roux<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/StanSportRugby\/status\/1711592390878810337<\/a><\/p>\n

Fun Facts<\/h2>\n