Schalk Burger reckons Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks would underestimate a potentially “unstoppable” French threat in Paris on Friday at their peril.
In the latest episode of the Boks Unpacked X The Verdict podcast, Burger gave his take on France’s 54-17 win over Fiji last week and the challenge posed to the Boks by the talismanic Antoine Dupont, who scored one of eight tries upon his return.
The Boks have won their last five Tests at the Stade de France, including last year’s 32-17 victory and the 29-28 quarter-final in the 2023 World Cup. France have beaten South Africa only once in the last 10 meetings, going back to 2009.
Erasmus on Monday rejected the notion that France’s injuries make the world champions’ favourites, while also called Dupont’s instinctive play tough to handle.
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“What you’ve got to be aware of, with Dupont being back, is that in the 22 I think they’re unstoppable,” Burger said. “He does a cross-kick in the 22 from the base. He picks and goes like a flanker.
“Remember the 2023 World Cup? Every entry they had … maul try, [Peato] Mauvaka off the back of that – try. It’s how quickly and how fast they play in your 22.
“It’s almost like they create chaos in attack, so as a defender you just can’t keep up.”
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Jean de Villiers asked whether Les Bleus had the same “punch” given their injuries, with playmaker Romain Ntamack the latest big-name casualty for Fabien Galthié’s men.
“With their pack of forwards, they’ve always got big boys,” Burger replied. “And at 10, for one Test against the Boks, I actually think they’re going to be fine.
“They’re going to have a [Nolann] Le Garrec, [Maxime] Lucu or someone step up at 10 … They are generals.
“Think of our generation: [Frédéric] Michalak did both, but the best of the lot was Dimitri Yachvili, who did both, kicked for goal and could do anything. So I don’t see it being too big of an issue.
“Obviously [Matthieu] Jalibert’s the best attacking flyhalf in European rugby, but who says Maxime Lucu can’t play 10?”
ALSO: ‘Les Bleus don’t know what Dupont will do’
Photo: Harry Murphy/Getty Images
The post Schalk sounds warning to Boks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Schalk Burger reckons Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks would underestimate a potentially “unstoppable” French threat in Paris on Friday at their peril.
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