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Pieter Jordaan
Johannesburg – The French are unpredictable and have flair, but size and strength, similar to that of the All Blacks, also awaits the Springboks in Toulouse on Friday.
It was clear on Monday that the Boks don’t expect an easier game against France than they had against the All Blacks, Wallabies and British and Irish Lions this year. Even less so in France’s backyard.
Springbok forwards coach Gary Gold stated the obvious when he referred to France as an emotional side that is also technically astute.
“But this is like playing New Zealand in New Zealand. They have a powerful pack and they are also very aware of their record over the past 12 years,” he said.
The Springboks last beat France in France in 1997 and coach Peter de Villiers believes that statistic will serve as motivation as none of the players representing the Boks on Friday have won there.
But the Boks are bracing themselves for a huge fight and Gold added to his reasons as to why an enormous Test awaits South Africa.
“We’re also playing in a small stadium with 32 000 passionate supporters and we know it will be difficult there. They can cause further problems with their ability to get the ball away in contact. They did not beat the All Blacks in New Zealand earlier this year without good reason,” said Gold.
Gold, however, emphasised that South Africa don’t intend altering their style much.
The Bok coaching team are encouraging captain John Smit and his players to continue with their playing style, irrespective of their opponents.
“We expect their tight five to be physical and in Thierry Dusautoir they have a fantastic openside flank. He is their Heinrich Brüssow or Schalk Burger,” said Gold.
The battle among the loose trios may be a memorable one, with Brüssow and Burger set to make up the South African combination along with Ryan Kankowski.
The core of the side that won the Tri-Nations is likely to be retained when the team is announced on Tuesday.
JP Pietersen is set to return to the wing after his injury while the absence of Jean de Villiers (centre) and Frans Steyn (fullback) is likely to open the door for Adrian Jacobs and Zane Kirchner respectively.
Jacobs is a talented and creative player, but teams have targeted him on defence in the past.
That may also be the case on Friday night, especially if one considers Gold’s assessment of the French backline.
“They have massive backs. Apart from the All Blacks, they are probably the only other team that can match us for size in the backline with the likes of Damien Traille (fullback) and Cedric Heymans (wing).”
Johannesburg – The French are unpredictable and have flair, but size and strength, similar to that of the All Blacks, also awaits the Springboks in Toulouse on Friday.
It was clear on Monday that the Boks don’t expect an easier game against France than they had against the All Blacks, Wallabies and British and Irish Lions this year. Even less so in France’s backyard.
Springbok forwards coach Gary Gold stated the obvious when he referred to France as an emotional side that is also technically astute.
“But this is like playing New Zealand in New Zealand. They have a powerful pack and they are also very aware of their record over the past 12 years,” he said.
The Springboks last beat France in France in 1997 and coach Peter de Villiers believes that statistic will serve as motivation as none of the players representing the Boks on Friday have won there.
But the Boks are bracing themselves for a huge fight and Gold added to his reasons as to why an enormous Test awaits South Africa.
“We’re also playing in a small stadium with 32 000 passionate supporters and we know it will be difficult there. They can cause further problems with their ability to get the ball away in contact. They did not beat the All Blacks in New Zealand earlier this year without good reason,” said Gold.
Gold, however, emphasised that South Africa don’t intend altering their style much.
The Bok coaching team are encouraging captain John Smit and his players to continue with their playing style, irrespective of their opponents.
“We expect their tight five to be physical and in Thierry Dusautoir they have a fantastic openside flank. He is their Heinrich Brüssow or Schalk Burger,” said Gold.
The battle among the loose trios may be a memorable one, with Brüssow and Burger set to make up the South African combination along with Ryan Kankowski.
The core of the side that won the Tri-Nations is likely to be retained when the team is announced on Tuesday.
JP Pietersen is set to return to the wing after his injury while the absence of Jean de Villiers (centre) and Frans Steyn (fullback) is likely to open the door for Adrian Jacobs and Zane Kirchner respectively.
Jacobs is a talented and creative player, but teams have targeted him on defence in the past.
That may also be the case on Friday night, especially if one considers Gold’s assessment of the French backline.
“They have massive backs. Apart from the All Blacks, they are probably the only other team that can match us for size in the backline with the likes of Damien Traille (fullback) and Cedric Heymans (wing).”
