October 14, 2007	Sunday	Shawwal 1, 1428

PARIS, Oct 13: South Africa and Argentina put their faith in the tried and trusted on Friday with the southern hemisphere rivals naming experienced lineups for their World Cup semi-final on Sunday.

The Springboks will line up at the Stade de France with a starting side containing 653 test caps after coach Jake White recalled tighthead prop CJ van der Linde following an injury.

Argentina kept faith with the side who started the 19-13 quarter-final win over Scotland with a quartet of key players, including captain Agustin Pichot, shaking off minor ailments.

Van der Linde’s return in place of Jannie du Plessis is the only change from the South African side who came through a tough quarter-final against Fiji.

“I have the most capped team in (the) history of South Africa, to be in a rugby World Cup semi-final with the most capped players of all time, they have played together, been through tough times together,” White told a news conference.

“The reality is that everything is coming together and it’s up to them to prepare properly now.”

White asserted the Pumas would start favourites for the Stade de France clash after beating hosts France in the opening game of the tournament and maintaining an unbeaten run to the last four.

Argentina are in the semi-finals for the first time and have lost all 11 of their Test matches with the Springboks since their initial meeting in Buenos Aires in 1993.

“The Pumas have had a happy hunting ground in the Stade de France, they say they are tired, but they must be the favourites here,” added White.

“They won here, they know the stadium, they beat France, who beat New Zealand, and will probably have lots of people shouting ‘Pumas’ on Sunday. We have respect for their achievements.”

Flanker Lucas Ostigilia retains his place on the blindside for Argentina with Juan Manuel Leguizamon, who had began the tournament as first choice in the back row, starting on the bench again.

Coach Marcelo Loffreda said mental preparation was the key to his team’s success in the tournament.

“How each team are feeling in their heads will be decisive and Argentina will go into the match in a very good state of mind,” he said. “The mental state, for me, is what’s going to settle the match.”

Hosts France and defending champions England made final preparations before Saturday’s first semi-final in Paris, with both camps saying their quarter-final exertions in knocking out New Zealand and Australia had left plenty of aching limbs.

“We’re all a bit tired,” said France scrumhalf Jean-Baptiste Elissalde. “We forgot about our bumps and bruises after the win because we were so euphoric but they didn’t disappear.”

England captain Phil Vickery called on his team to again sacrifice body and soul for the cause, saying: “It’s going to be a great night and a huge test and it’s going to take from 1-22 to stand up.”—Reuters