Combined XV: Wales v South Africa

Combined XV: Wales v South Africa

Wales and South Africa will battle it out for a place in the Rugby World Cup Final in Yokohama on Sunday after Wales edge France and South Africa dispatched hosts Japan in the quarter-finals.

Both side looked somewhat shakey in their respective quarter-finals but have both been strong throughout the competition.

Both sides have been dealt injury blows for the encounter with Liam Williams missing for Wales and Cheslin Kolbe for South Africa. With both sides having named their line ups for the weekend, we select our combined XV.


We have picked our XV based on the players form during the Rugby World Cup.


1. Tendai Mtawarira - South Africa

The Beast has peaked at the right for the Springboks and the 34-year-old is back to some of his best form of his career.

He may have been lucky not have got a red card against Japan in the quarter-final but he has been a rock in the scrum, busy around the pitch and has done superbly to reclaim the starting jumper over Steven Kitshoff.

2. Bongi Mbonambi - South Africa

 

A close call between Ken Owens and Bongi Mbonambi but Mbonambi has been a key cog in an incredible Springbok pack that is still let to lose a lineout in the World Cup and just two of their 28 scrums.

Like Mtawarira, Mbonambi has been sensational and has pushed the superb Malcolm Marx to the bench.

3. Tomas Francis - Wales

Another close call between Malherbe and Francis with both players being strong in the scrums. Francis work in the rucks and on defence gets him the nod.

4. Eben Etzebeth - South Africa

Jake Ball has been solid for Wales throughout the competition but Eben Etzebeth is another Springbok who has returned to playing some of his best rugby in some time.

Etzebeth has been excellent in the front of the Springbok lineout and a workhorse in open play for the Boks.

5. Alun Wyn Jones - Wales



A tough call on Lood de Jager who has been sublime for South Africa in the Rugby World Cup and has won 22 lineouts while running a 100% lineout success.

However, the ageless Alun Wyn Jones has been brilliant for Wales. He has led Wales superbly and has been regular busy self around the pitch.

6. Pieter-Steph du Toit - South Africa

Aaron Wainwright has been excellent for Wales, particularly in the quarter-final against France. However, Pieter-Steph du Toit has brought his 2018 form in 2019 and subsequently the Rugby World Cup. 

Du Toit averages over 10 tackles a game and has been superb with ball in hand and in the lineout.

7. Justin Tipuric - Wales

The busy Welsh flanker edges out the inspirational Springbok captain, Siya Kolisi, for a place in the side.

Both sides have performed strongly this World Cup but the Welshman gets the nod making 47 tackles, 23 carries, won 6 turnoves and has missed just three tackles in four games.

8. Duane Vermeulen - South Africa

Yet another Springbok that has peeked at the perfect time for South Africa. 

Vermeulen has weighed in with some massive hits, quality turnovers and strong ball carries throughout the competition.

9. Gareth Davies - Wales

Both de Klerk and Davies have played major roles in their respective side's success in the Rugby World Cup so far. However, Davies gets the edge with his consistency throughout the competition.

10. Handre Pollard - South Africa

Yet another close call with Pollard getting the nod over Biggar. Pollard has gone from strength to strength since an average game against New Zealand in their opening game of the tournament.

11. Makazole Mapimpi - South Africa

Two in-form finishers go head to head for a place on the left wing in our combined team. Both players have scored 5 tries in the competition but Makazole Mapimpi gets the nod having more running metres and having beaten more defenders, with not much else separating the pair.

12. Damian de Allende - South Africa

The Springbok centre has been brilliant this Rugby World Cup, he has proved the Springboks with fantastic front foot ball and has been just as effective on defence.

He gets the nod over Hadleigh Parkes, who has been just as effective for Wales.

13. Jonathan Davies - Wales

Defensively, Lukhanyo Am has been a standout for the Springboks and been key to their run to the final.

However, Jonathan Davies was excellent for Wales during the pool stages and his absences was clearly felt in the quarter-final against France.

14. George North - Wales

Had Cheslin Kolbe not been ruled out due to an injury, he would have likely filled the #14 jersey in our combined side.

However, North gets the nod over Nkosi who has impressed this World Cup but he has done so against lesser opposition having not got opportunities in the big games.

North, on the other hand, has been excellent in the World Cup and has been superb in the air. 

Leigh Halfpenny - Wales

Halfpenny edges Willie Le Roux for the final spot in our combined side. Le Roux has not performed at his usual high standards while Halfpenny has performed when given a chance to step up.

Halfpenny will slot in for the inform Liam Williams, who has been ruled out through injury.

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