Rugby
Boks to face formidable French
2010-06-08 10:44
Cape Town - France coach Marc Lievremont on Tuesday called up Biarritz flank
Wenceslas Lauret to make his debut against the Springboks in Saturday's
Test at Newlands.
Lievremont said Lauret's presence would help to contain the intensity which the South African loose forwards brings to the match.
"The Springboks have a great backrow, a very balanced one with capable runners and tacklers," said Lievremont.
"The Springboks' play revolves around their back row and Lauret has shown he deserves his place in the national team."
In much the same vein as South Africa supplied the teams for the 2010 Super 14 final, two French teams Biarritz Toulouse reached the 2010 Heineken Cup final a fortnight ago. Lievremont believes this will instill great confidence in the ranks of the team ahead of Newlands match.
"Our plan is to play complete rugby, not just kicking up-and-unders," said Lievremont.
"We will feel less pressure than when last we met and the fact two French teams played in the (Heineken) final means our players will be much more comfortable and confident in what they do."
The Springboks will be without their king pin scrumhalf Fourie du Preez, but Lievremont said he did not expect the Springboks to suffer any disruption.
"Whoever the Springboks chose to replace him (Fourie) will be just as good. It's not something the Springboks will be concerned about," said Lievremont.
Teams:
South Africa
TBC
France:
15. Clement Poitrenaud (Toulouse), 14. Vincent Clerc (Toulouse), 13. David Marty (Perpignan), 12. Maxime Mermoz (Perpignan), 11. Aurelien Rougerie (Clermont), 10. Francois Trinh-Duc (Montpellier), 9. Morgan Parra (Clermont), 8. Julien Bonnaire (Clermont), 7. Wenceslas Lauret (Biarritz), 6. Thierry Dusautoir (Toulouse, captain), 5. Romain Millo-Chluski (Toulouse), 4. Lionel Nallet (Racing-Metro), 3. Nicolas Mas (Perpignan), 2. Dimitri Szarzewski (Stade Francais), 1. Thomas Domingo (Clermont)
Substitutes: 16. Guilhem Guirado (Perpignan), 17. Jean-Baptiste Poux (Toulouse), 18. Julien Pierre (Clermont), 19. Louis Picamoles (Toulouse), 20. Dimitri Yachvili (Biarritz), 21. David Skrela (Toulouse), 22. Marc Andreu (Castres)