Flyhalf Manie Libbok is the man to lead South Africa in their quest to retain the&nbsp;Rugby&nbsp;World Cup, even if he has bad days from the kicking tee, captain Siya Kolisi said in the wake of their 18-3 victory over Scotland in Marseille on Sunday. Libbok is a key creative player for the Springboks in the backline and put in a man-of-the-match performance against the Scots, but kicked two from five relatively simple attempts at goal and has been wayward off the tee in the past.

But Kolisi said his side have no concerns around Libbok in potentially tight knockout contests and there were others who could take over kicking duties if required. "We play as a team and sometimes you are not good at one thing on the day," Kolisi told reporters. "But the way he attacked and the way he takes control of the team, people forget that and remember only the other stuff.

"Faf (de Klerk) can kick, Cheslin (Kolbe) can kick, there are a lot of guys we can call upon. If someone is lacking somewhere, then someone else will take over. "It is the same with me, sometimes I don’t know what to call to make in the game. So Duane (Vermeulen) or Eben (Etzebeth) will make the call instead. Even Manie will make a call."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/rugby-world-cup-waless-victory-over-fiji-raises-hopes-of-emulating-2019-semi-final-spot-634938">Rugby World Cup: Wales's victory over Fiji raises hopes of emulating 2019 semi-final spot</a>

Kolisi insists that Libbok’s all-round game and ability to ignite their backline and create try-scoring opportunities, as he did for Kurt-Lee Arendse against the Scots with a superb crossfield kick, outweighs everything else. "Some flyhalves kick well but can’t tackle. He tackles as hard as anyone. So we don’t stress about it, if he misses, the next guy can go."

South Africa led 6-3 at halftime but Kolisi was not happy with the intensity they showed. "It was quite clear we did not start the way we normally do and with the intensity we usually bring," he said. "The conversations (at halftime) were clear. We had to improve. Set-piece is important and that is why we came out with that (improved) energy."

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Flyhalf Manie Libbok is the man to lead South Africa in their quest to retain the Rugby World Cup, even if he has bad days from the kicking tee, captain Siya Kolisi said in the wake of their 18-3 victory over Scotland in Marseille on Sunday.

Flyhalf Manie Libbok is the man to lead South Africa in their quest to retain the Rugby World Cup, even if he has bad days from the kicking tee, captain Siya Kolisi said in the wake of their 18-3 victory over Scotland in Marseille on Sunday. Libbok is a key creative player for the Springboks in the backline and put in a man-of-the-match performance against the Scots, but kicked two from five relatively simple attempts at goal and has been wayward off the tee in the past. But Kolisi said his side have no concerns around Libbok in potentially tight knockout contests and there were others who could take over kicking duties if required. "We play as a team and sometimes you are not good at one thing on the day," Kolisi told reporters. "But the way he attacked and the way he takes control of the team, people forget that and remember only the other stuff. "Faf (de Klerk) can kick, Cheslin (Kolbe) can kick, there are a lot of guys we can call upon. If someone is lacking somewhere, then someone else will take over. "It is the same with me, sometimes I don’t know what to call to make in the game. So Duane (Vermeulen) or Eben (Etzebeth) will make the call instead. Even Manie will make a call." Also read: Rugby World Cup: Wales's victory over Fiji raises hopes of emulating 2019 semi-final spot Kolisi insists that Libbok’s all-round game and ability to ignite their backline and create try-scoring opportunities, as he did for Kurt-Lee Arendse against the Scots with a superb crossfield kick, outweighs everything else. "Some flyhalves kick well but can’t tackle. He tackles as hard as anyone. So we don’t stress about it, if he misses, the next guy can go." South Africa led 6-3 at halftime but Kolisi was not happy with the intensity they showed. "It was quite clear we did not start the way we normally do and with the intensity we usually bring," he said. "The conversations (at halftime) were clear. We had to improve. Set-piece is important and that is why we came out with that (improved) energy." WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Rugby World Cup: Captain Siya Kolisi backs Flyhalf Manie Libbok to lead Springbok attack

Victory for Wales over Fiji has opened a pathway to possibly emulating their semi-final place at the last Rugby World Cup even if they have had a horror year and arrived at the tournament without much expectation. In a thriller in Bordeaux on Sunday, the Welsh held on for a slender 32-26 win over Fiji in their Pool C opener which effectively clears the way for them to move through the group phase and onto next month’s knockout stages.

"I think it's pretty significant for us. Fiji had probably gone into the game as favourites and with everyone expecting them to win,” said coach Warren Gatland, reflecting on a fortunate escape as Fiji missed out on a last-gasp score that could have handed them victory when Semi Radradra knocked on with the tryline in sight.

Australia are the other Tier 1 nation in the pool and fancied to advance with the pre-tournament expectation that either Fiji or Wales would take the other qualifying spot. Georgia and Portugal are the other teams in the group but not expected to make any impact. Wales are therefore on track for a quarter-final meeting with one of the top two finishers in Pool D, which barring any upsets should be Argentina and England.

England are one of two teams that Wales managed to beat in eight internationals played this year before the World Cup. Although it is still a long way off, the Welsh could be eyeing a semi-final spot thanks to Sunday’s success in Bordeaux. This is despite a year of mediocre returns as they lost four of five games in the Six Nations and two of their three World Cup warm-up internationals.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/golf-chinas-yin-ruoning-a-big-step-closer-to-replicating-inspirational-feng-shanshan-634793">Golf: China's Yin Ruoning a 'big step' closer to replicating inspirational Feng Shanshan</a>

"What I'm pleased about is some really positive stuff, but some really good learnings for a group of young players," added Gatland, who returned to the Wales job in December. "We've always been a team that build on confidence and get better in tournaments. So that's exciting,”

Gatland had taken them to the 2019 World Cup semi-final where they narrowly lost to eventual winners South Africa.

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Victory for Wales over Fiji has opened a pathway to possibly emulating their semi-final place at the last Rugby World Cup even if they have had a horror year and arrived at the tournament without much expectation.

Victory for Wales over Fiji has opened a pathway to possibly emulating their semi-final place at the last Rugby World Cup even if they have had a horror year and arrived at the tournament without much expectation. In a thriller in Bordeaux on Sunday, the Welsh held on for a slender 32-26 win over Fiji in their Pool C opener which effectively clears the way for them to move through the group phase and onto next month’s knockout stages. "I think it's pretty significant for us. Fiji had probably gone into the game as favourites and with everyone expecting them to win,” said coach Warren Gatland, reflecting on a fortunate escape as Fiji missed out on a last-gasp score that could have handed them victory when Semi Radradra knocked on with the tryline in sight. Australia are the other Tier 1 nation in the pool and fancied to advance with the pre-tournament expectation that either Fiji or Wales would take the other qualifying spot. Georgia and Portugal are the other teams in the group but not expected to make any impact. Wales are therefore on track for a quarter-final meeting with one of the top two finishers in Pool D, which barring any upsets should be Argentina and England. England are one of two teams that Wales managed to beat in eight internationals played this year before the World Cup. Although it is still a long way off, the Welsh could be eyeing a semi-final spot thanks to Sunday’s success in Bordeaux. This is despite a year of mediocre returns as they lost four of five games in the Six Nations and two of their three World Cup warm-up internationals. Also read: Golf: China's Yin Ruoning a 'big step' closer to replicating inspirational Feng Shanshan "What I'm pleased about is some really positive stuff, but some really good learnings for a group of young players," added Gatland, who returned to the Wales job in December. "We've always been a team that build on confidence and get better in tournaments. So that's exciting,” Gatland had taken them to the 2019 World Cup semi-final where they narrowly lost to eventual winners South Africa. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Rugby World Cup: Wales's victory over Fiji raises hopes of emulating 2019 semi-final spot

France made an impressive start to their attempt to win a first Rugby World Cup as the host nation beat New Zealand 27-13 in a hot and humid tournament opener on Friday. Roared on by a capacity crowd at the Stade de France, Thomas Ramos nervelessly kicked 17 points and Damian Penaud and Melvyn Jaminet scored a try each.

Mark Telea touched down twice for the All Blacks and it was only after Ramos' 74th minute penalty that the home fans could celebrate before the rampant white-shirted French scored a final try as Jaminet grabbed Maxime Lucu's chip.

France fought hard to prove that their tag as one of the favourites on home soil is well-deserved.

"It was important to begin well by winning even if it was not a knockout match," France head coach Fabien Galthie said. &nbsp;"It was the culmination of our work before the tournament."

For the All Blacks, it was the first time they had lost a World Cup pool match.

"In the past we've won all our pool games and not won the tournament," said New Zealand coach Ian Foster. "Our goal is to win this tournament."

It was a successful start on the field to what will be a key test of France's organisational skills ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, especially after the chaos that blighted last year's football Champions League final at the Stade de France on the outskirts of Paris.

With the Olympics less than a year away, French authorities are under scrutiny to prove they have learned from the mistakes during the football showpiece between Liverpool and Real Madrid.

<h2>- Loaded half of draw -</h2>

The World Cup is widely expected to provide a feast of attacking rugby.

Before the tournament, the bookmakers could barely separate reigning champions South Africa, the world's number one side Ireland, France and the enigmatic All Blacks, although Friday's performance will only serve to shorten the French odds.

By a quirk of the draw made three years ago, all four have been loaded into the same half, meaning at least two will be eliminated before the semi-final stage.

That gives misfiring England, Wales and Australia hope they could play themselves into contention before the business end of the competition in late October.

England, World Cup winners in 2003 but with unusually low expectations in this tournament, rumble into action on Saturday when they face Argentina in Marseille.

South Africa begin their campaign against a tough Scotland side on Sunday.

Argentina revel in their role as outsiders and will believe they can add rugby's highest accolade to the football World Cup they claimed last year in Qatar -- when they beat France in the final.

France have been runners-up three times, but came into the tournament on a wave of expectation.

They went through 2022 unbeaten, claiming a Six Nations Grand Slam, and beating all three of their major tournament rivals, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa in the same calendar year.

On Friday, they kept their nerve as the All Blacks stayed neck-and-neck with them, before the French pulled away at the end.

Captain and scrum-half Antoine Dupont, one of rugby's outstanding talents, said his team were just getting going.

"We know we're capable of doing better," he said.

Around 2.5 million rugby fans are expected to attend World Cup fixtures across nine venues in France, including 600,000 from abroad.

Excitement was high with thousands of people gathered at a fan zone in the southwest rugby stronghold of Toulouse to watch the match against the All Blacks on giant screens.

There were similar scenes in Paris and Marseille while towns around the country held smaller watch parties.

The early stages of the tournament will be played in unseasonal heat, with the temperature at kickoff on Friday around 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit).

Players will be allowed to take drinks in breaks in each of the halves, as they did at the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

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France made an impressive start to their attempt to win a first Rugby World Cup as the host nation beat New Zealand 27-13 in a hot and humid tournament opener on Friday.

France made an impressive start to their attempt to win a first Rugby World Cup as the host nation beat New Zealand 27-13 in a hot and humid tournament opener on Friday. Roared on by a capacity crowd at the Stade de France, Thomas Ramos nervelessly kicked 17 points and Damian Penaud and Melvyn Jaminet scored a try each. Mark Telea touched down twice for the All Blacks and it was only after Ramos' 74th minute penalty that the home fans could celebrate before the rampant white-shirted French scored a final try as Jaminet grabbed Maxime Lucu's chip. France fought hard to prove that their tag as one of the favourites on home soil is well-deserved. "It was important to begin well by winning even if it was not a knockout match," France head coach Fabien Galthie said. "It was the culmination of our work before the tournament." For the All Blacks, it was the first time they had lost a World Cup pool match. "In the past we've won all our pool games and not won the tournament," said New Zealand coach Ian Foster. "Our goal is to win this tournament." It was a successful start on the field to what will be a key test of France's organisational skills ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, especially after the chaos that blighted last year's football Champions League final at the Stade de France on the outskirts of Paris. With the Olympics less than a year away, French authorities are under scrutiny to prove they have learned from the mistakes during the football showpiece between Liverpool and Real Madrid. - Loaded half of draw - The World Cup is widely expected to provide a feast of attacking rugby. Before the tournament, the bookmakers could barely separate reigning champions South Africa, the world's number one side Ireland, France and the enigmatic All Blacks, although Friday's performance will only serve to shorten the French odds. By a quirk of the draw made three years ago, all four have been loaded into the same half, meaning at least two will be eliminated before the semi-final stage. That gives misfiring England, Wales and Australia hope they could play themselves into contention before the business end of the competition in late October. England, World Cup winners in 2003 but with unusually low expectations in this tournament, rumble into action on Saturday when they face Argentina in Marseille. South Africa begin their campaign against a tough Scotland side on Sunday. Argentina revel in their role as outsiders and will believe they can add rugby's highest accolade to the football World Cup they claimed last year in Qatar -- when they beat France in the final. France have been runners-up three times, but came into the tournament on a wave of expectation. They went through 2022 unbeaten, claiming a Six Nations Grand Slam, and beating all three of their major tournament rivals, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa in the same calendar year. On Friday, they kept their nerve as the All Blacks stayed neck-and-neck with them, before the French pulled away at the end. Captain and scrum-half Antoine Dupont, one of rugby's outstanding talents, said his team were just getting going. "We know we're capable of doing better," he said. Around 2.5 million rugby fans are expected to attend World Cup fixtures across nine venues in France, including 600,000 from abroad. Excitement was high with thousands of people gathered at a fan zone in the southwest rugby stronghold of Toulouse to watch the match against the All Blacks on giant screens. There were similar scenes in Paris and Marseille while towns around the country held smaller watch parties. The early stages of the tournament will be played in unseasonal heat, with the temperature at kickoff on Friday around 29 degrees Celsius (84 degrees Fahrenheit). Players will be allowed to take drinks in breaks in each of the halves, as they did at the 2019 World Cup in Japan. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

France stun favourites New Zealand 27-13 to kick off Rugby World Cup 2023

Hosts France kick-off the Rugby World Cup against three-time champions New Zealand on Friday in a mouth-watering appetiser to a seven-week tournament that will also provide a key test of the country's organisational skills ahead of the 2024 Olympics.

As well as anticipation, there is plenty of apprehension following the chaos that blighted last year's football Champions League final at the same Stade de France stadium on the outskirts of Paris that will host both the first and last matches of this World Cup.

With the Paris Olympics less than a year away, the Rugby World Cup will be seen as a litmus test for French authorities to prove they have learnt lessons from the mistakes of May last year during the football showpiece between Liverpool and Real Madrid.

But it is also expected to provide a spectacle perhaps unmatched in previous tournaments, with New Zealand great Dan Carter telling AFP he is looking forward to the "closest Rugby World Cup of all time."

Even the bookmakers can barely separate champions South Africa, world number one side Ireland, the effervescent hosts and the enigmatic All Blacks.

By a quirk of the draw, all four have been loaded into the same half, meaning at least two will be eliminated before the semi-final stage.

That gives misfiring England, Wales and Australia hope they could play themselves into form, and contention, before the business end of the competition in late October.

And Argentina will be confident they can add rugby's highest accolade to the football trophy claimed by Lionel Messi and his Albiceleste team-mates less than a year ago in Qatar -- when they beat France in the final.

It kicks off a remarkable year of sporting excitement in France with a particularly acute political gaze cast over the rugby showpiece.

French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, who came under heavy fire over the official response to last year's football mayhem, says major police reinforcements have been introduced to fight "delinquency."

He also insisted that officers would be focused on looking after visiting fans, rather than treating them as hooligans -- many Liverpool supporters complained of being teargassed at last year's Champions League final.

Around 2.5 million rugby fans are expected to attend World Cup fixtures across nine venues in France, including 600,000 from abroad.

Asked about the danger of terrorism, Darmanin said there was "no particular threat for the Rugby World Cup, and even less for the opening match".

<h2>- French expectation -</h2>

The hosts -- three time runners up -- come into this tournament with more expectation than perhaps ever before. They went through 2022 unbeaten, claiming a Six Nations Grand Slam, and beating all three of their major tournament rivals, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa in the same calendar year.

While they have not hit the same heights in 2023, they did muster a record 53-10 victory over England at Twickenham in March, and just thumped twice champions Australia 41-17 in their final warm-up.

In captain and scrum-half Antoine Dupont, they have one of the game's outstanding talents.

"We've never been so well prepared," Dupont told AFP this week. "We have a promising generation of talented players who have gained experience and continuity in the backbone of the team."

The loss of fly-half Romain Ntamack to injury is a blow, though.

The opening match ensures the tournament will get off to a bang.

It is one of the most epic fixtures in World Cup history, producing countless moments of drama, such as the 1999 semi-final when France roared back from a 24-10 deficit early in the second half to memorably win 43-31 against the Jonah Lomu-inspired All Blacks.

And then there was France's thrilling 20-18 quarter-final victory in 2007, and New Zealand's nervy 8-7 triumph in the final on home soil four years later.

"That's what adds to the excitement of this World Cup," said Carter.

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Hosts France kick-off the Rugby World Cup against three-time champions New Zealand on Friday in a mouth-watering appetiser to a seven-week tournament that will also provide a key test of the country's organisational skills ahead of the 2024 Olympics.

Hosts France kick-off the Rugby World Cup against three-time champions New Zealand on Friday in a mouth-watering appetiser to a seven-week tournament that will also provide a key test of the country's organisational skills ahead of the 2024 Olympics. As well as anticipation, there is plenty of apprehension following the chaos that blighted last year's football Champions League final at the same Stade de France stadium on the outskirts of Paris that will host both the first and last matches of this World Cup. With the Paris Olympics less than a year away, the Rugby World Cup will be seen as a litmus test for French authorities to prove they have learnt lessons from the mistakes of May last year during the football showpiece between Liverpool and Real Madrid. But it is also expected to provide a spectacle perhaps unmatched in previous tournaments, with New Zealand great Dan Carter telling AFP he is looking forward to the "closest Rugby World Cup of all time." Even the bookmakers can barely separate champions South Africa, world number one side Ireland, the effervescent hosts and the enigmatic All Blacks. By a quirk of the draw, all four have been loaded into the same half, meaning at least two will be eliminated before the semi-final stage. That gives misfiring England, Wales and Australia hope they could play themselves into form, and contention, before the business end of the competition in late October. And Argentina will be confident they can add rugby's highest accolade to the football trophy claimed by Lionel Messi and his Albiceleste team-mates less than a year ago in Qatar -- when they beat France in the final. It kicks off a remarkable year of sporting excitement in France with a particularly acute political gaze cast over the rugby showpiece. French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin, who came under heavy fire over the official response to last year's football mayhem, says major police reinforcements have been introduced to fight "delinquency." He also insisted that officers would be focused on looking after visiting fans, rather than treating them as hooligans -- many Liverpool supporters complained of being teargassed at last year's Champions League final. Around 2.5 million rugby fans are expected to attend World Cup fixtures across nine venues in France, including 600,000 from abroad. Asked about the danger of terrorism, Darmanin said there was "no particular threat for the Rugby World Cup, and even less for the opening match". - French expectation - The hosts -- three time runners up -- come into this tournament with more expectation than perhaps ever before. They went through 2022 unbeaten, claiming a Six Nations Grand Slam, and beating all three of their major tournament rivals, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa in the same calendar year. While they have not hit the same heights in 2023, they did muster a record 53-10 victory over England at Twickenham in March, and just thumped twice champions Australia 41-17 in their final warm-up. In captain and scrum-half Antoine Dupont, they have one of the game's outstanding talents. "We've never been so well prepared," Dupont told AFP this week. "We have a promising generation of talented players who have gained experience and continuity in the backbone of the team." The loss of fly-half Romain Ntamack to injury is a blow, though. The opening match ensures the tournament will get off to a bang. It is one of the most epic fixtures in World Cup history, producing countless moments of drama, such as the 1999 semi-final when France roared back from a 24-10 deficit early in the second half to memorably win 43-31 against the Jonah Lomu-inspired All Blacks. And then there was France's thrilling 20-18 quarter-final victory in 2007, and New Zealand's nervy 8-7 triumph in the final on home soil four years later. "That's what adds to the excitement of this World Cup," said Carter. WATCH WION LIVE HERE: