The first meeting of the day will be a real style opposition, between English and Fijians in Marseille. The former finished first in their group, without convincing by systematically returning the ball to the opponent, but by winning four successes in four matches, “by experience”. Opposite, the Fijians who were very, or sometimes too playful, qualified despite a high-level pool, but lost to Portugal in their last outing (23-24). And then, at 9:00 p.m., French hearts will vibrate. In the first decisive match of the competition, the Blues face the Springboks in a match where neither team is a favorite. With Antoine Dupont at the helm, we expect a clash of crazy intensity where one of the best teams in the world will fall by the wayside.
Fiji-England: 5:00 p.m. (M6)
France-South Africa: 9:00 p.m. (TF1)
Fiji will play the third quarter-final in their history today, and they could therefore qualify for the last four for the first time. What the captain of the Pacific Warriors, Waisea, underlined in a press conference: “The last time was sixteen years ago (the last quarter-final played, editor’s note), and I told the guys that luck held out its arms to us, that it would perhaps never return and that it was up to us to seize it.” A unique opportunity that the Islanders intend to take full advantage of.
Steve Borthwike, the England coach, has concocted a little surprise for us in the XV which will face Fiji. Very convincing coming off the bench since the start of the competition, Marcus Smith will start at full-back in place of Tom Steward. A position he knows, since he scored a double against Chile in the pool (71-0). An additional offensive argument for the XV de la Rose, between its qualities on the feet and its recovery capabilities. The one who usually plays as a fly-half was also dubbed by his teammate at Harlequins and in the selection, Joe Marler, who felt that he had “always had” a sort of natural authority over the ground. She could do a lot of good for her team on Sunday afternoon.
In the history of France-South Africa matches, the Springboks have the big advantage. In 45 matches, the Springboks have won 27 times, compared to 12 for the French. And it is even more obvious during the last eight oppositions, which the “Sudafs” have won seven times. A reason for hope all the same for the supporters of Galthié and his men: the last meeting between the two teams, in November 2022 at the Vélodrome, resulted in a French victory with a score of 30 to 26. We are back at it again This evening ?
