'Purpose-driven' Springboks braced for England showdown

PARIS - For most rugby players the glory of getting your hands on the Webb Ellis cup would be motivation enough to lay your body on the line in a World Cup semi-final.

For South Africa captain Siya Kolisi, however, whose side takes on England at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, the inner drive comes from another source: the people at home.

"That is the one thing that will never change, who we play for and who we represent," he said on Thursday.

"I wish you could see all the support back at home."

Kolisi takes his place in the back row in a South Africa side that is unchanged from that which edged France 29-28 in the quarter-finals. 

"I believe we are a purpose-driven team, not a trophy-driven team," he said.

"It is more purposeful when you are not doing something for yourself only, when you are aiding other people you have not even met. 

"When you are doing things for other people, it is not easy to give up, it is much harder," he said. 

"For me, giving up and not giving everything would be cheating."

All parts of the machine appear to be in top working order and meshing superbly; the forwards with the backs, the finishers with the starters.

The management team of Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber have kept faith with Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok over the 2019-winning half-back duo of Faf du Plessis and Handre Pollard, both of whom are on the bench and will play a big role in the closing quarter. 

Nienaber has suggested the English are relatively predictable in their play but much less consistent in their execution. 

The game, however, is likely to be won up front, making the solid presence of Joe Marler at loosehead prop all the more important.

"Every piece of information has them (South Africa) as the best scrum in the world," said Borthwick on Thursday. 

"We know we are going to need to scrum well throughout the game." 

England expects but for both sides this is the point of no return. 

As Nienaber said: "If you lose this game, you are out, so there is everything to gain."