The Springboks have downplayed the favourites tag ahead of their big Rugby World Cup semi-final against England in Paris.

The two finalists from the 2019 Rugby World Cup in France will play for the right to face the All Blacks in the final next week. This comes after the clinical New Zealanders thumped the Los Pumas of Argentina 44-6 in Friday night in the first semi-final.

The Springboks are ranked number one in the world against after eliminating France on Sunday during the quarter-finals.

The Boks are unchanged to the game, while the English in their turn made three changes to the side that beat Samoa in the quarter-finals.

The Springbok hooker, Bongi Mbonambi, who has captained the team this year and took over the leadership duties against France said the favourites tag is something that they haven’t discussed.

“I don't think we've ever mentioned England as underdogs,” said Bethlehem-born Mbonambi.

“I take it to be very disrespectful to them, to mention them as underdogs. We don't look at ourselves as favourites.

“It's going to be a tough game, it's going to be a physical game. I think it would be very disrespectful to say they are underdogs and we never see ourselves as favourites.”

Mbonambi added that the English are going to come out all guns blazing especially considering that the Boks have beaten in the final twice before, which includes the 2007 World Cup which was played at the very same Stade de France.

“We've heard a lot, and obviously people are talking about they are looking for revenge. However they see the game is up to them.

“For us, we don't play a lot on emotions, because I believe emotions will last you 20 minutes and you burn yourself out.”

Saturday night’s quarter-final at Stade de France in Paris kicks off at 21:00.

Springboks - 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Replacements – 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Handré Pollard, 23 Willie le Roux

England - 15 Freddie Steward, 14 Jonny May, 13 Joe Marchant, 12 Manu Tuilagi, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 Owen Farrell (captain), 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Ben Earl, 7 Tom Curry, 6 Courtney Lawes, 5 George Martin, 4 Maro Itoje, 3 Dan Cole, 2 Jamie George, 1 Joe Marler

Replacements - 16 Theo Dan, 17 Ellis Genge, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Billy Vunipola, 21 Danny Care, 22 George Ford, 23 Ollie Lawrence

Morgan Piek OFM Sport