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Your Total Guide To sport
World Cup Quarter Finals - October 17 Preview
The quarter finals have finally arrived. Eight teams remain in the 2015 rugby World Cup and four are in action today, each bidding to reach the semi-final stage of the sport’s most illustrious competition. Total Sport takes a look at the first day of quarter final action, as South Africa meet Wales and New Zealand come up against France...
Today at the World Cup
Twickenham plays centre stage for the day’s opener, as South Africa face Wales for Saturday’s 4.00pm kick off. The Springboks will walk out as the designated home team, though Wales will feel more than comfortable with the venue, having famously defeated England there three weeks prior to today.
South Africa arrive into the tie after thumping the USA 64-0. The men of the red dragon will be hoping their opponents aren’t feeling as ruthless this time around, as they aim to re-patch their form following a recent 15-6 defeat to Australia.
Both sides play a similar style of rugby and have only lost one game in each of their last five matches. They enter Twickenham evenly matched in most regards, though injuries perhaps put the Welsh at the disadvantage.
Twice capped Tyler Morgan is to start at centre for Wales, while Gethin Jenkins returns for Paul James at loose-head prop and Dan Lydiate is recalled in the back row. Lydiate’s return sees George North return to the wing and Justin Tipuric dropping to the bench.
For South Africa, the return of wing JP Pietersen is the only change from the starting side which beat the USA 64-0 in their final pool game. The persistent injury problems of Victor Matfield also means further appearances are on the cards for young second-row pairing Lood de Jager and Eben Etzebeth.
In the day’s later kick-off, the all dominant New Zealand come face-to-face with France in Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium.
Unbeaten in the last five, the All Blacks are in their usual imperial form. Les Blues too were looking strong, until a recent 9-24 faltering to Ireland in their last match.
Morgan Parra has been named at scrum-half for the French and centre Mathieu Bastareaud has been dropped from the starting line up. Flanker Bernard Le Roux also comes in for Damien Chouly.
New Zealand have made four changes to their starting XV with Wyatt Crockett, Brodie Retallick, Richie McCaw and Julian Savea replacing Tony Woodcock, Luke Romano, Sam Cane and Waisake Naholo.
Who to watch
Alun Wyn Jones will need to put in a big performance if Wales are to take anything away from South Africa. The Ospreys lock is making his 100th Test match appearance and carries the expectations of a nation.
For South Africa no player is more influential in the Springbok line up than veteran scrum-half Fourie du Preez, who has never lost to Wales in seven games. The captain holds the key to how the Boks execute their simple yet effective game plan and the decisions he makes are likely to be decisive to the outcome.
Thierry Dusautoir will become only the third Frenchman to score a record three tries against New Zealand, so all eyes are likely to be upon the Toulouse man. Over in the All Blacks camp, Dan Carter could be the man to put Les Blues to the sword. With a game which may very well likely be won in the set pieces, a strong performance from the legendary Carter will be paramount.
When to watch
South Africa vs Wales – Kick off 2.00 pm, broadcast live on ITV from Twickenham.
New Zealand vs France – Kick off 8.00 pm, broadcast live on ITV from the Millennium Stadium.
Where to watch
Check out Total's comprehensive guide of where to watch the rugby World Cup in Bath.
World Cup meal
Combining delicacies native of all four nations poses an interesting challenge.
Starter: Salmon mousse choux pastries (France)
Main: South African bobotie (South Africa) A curried mince dish that has been an integral part of South African cuisine for centuries. It embraces not only local flavors, but also the exotic flavors that spice traders brought to the Cape on their travels.
Dessert: Welsh cakes with summer berries and vanilla cream (Wales)
To drink: Palliser Estate Pinot Noir wine (New Zealand) Medium-full bodied, this has a concentrated and deeply packed core of ripe plum fruit flavours entwined with Asian spices, liquorice and savoury, dark herb notes.
Match Predictions
South Africa vs Wales: A Welsh victory would stand as the ultimate World Cup achievement for Warren Gatland, eclipsing the triumph over England at Twickenham. The Springboks have recovered well since their shock defeat to Japan earlier in the tournament, and will enter this fixture all guns blazing. We’re calling a tough one, with a South African win.
New Zealand vs France: Neither side have really hit their full gear this tournament, although if every clicks into place for both sides in Cardiff, this tie has potential to be match of the tournament so far. Plenty is at stake and, with the recent history between the two sides still fresh in the memory, emotions are likely to be running high. We think the All Blacks will take this one, by ten points.
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