South Africa’s set-piece prowess and front-row stocks will prove too strong for France in Paris on Friday night, according to former Springbok prop BJ Botha.
The Boks lock horns with Les Bleus in the second Test of the world champions’ Nations Championship tour and speaking to Netwerk24, Botha backed Rassie Erasmus’ troops to dominate the scrum and maul at the Stade de France.
“From a tactical perspective, I just don’t think France can counter us in the scrum battle. I think we’ll be too strong for them,” the 25-Test former tighthead said.
“If we can put the pressure on them there, and the maul, I think it will be a tough ask for them.”
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He believes the world champions’ depth up front gives Erasmus a massive advantage, with Wilco Louw, Thomas du Toit and Zachary Porthen available to fill the No 3 jersey, and Ox Nché, Gerhard Steenekamp and Ntuthuko Mchunu at loosehead.
“We have never had this. We can probably say that any three front rows can start any tier-one match and do the business up front,” Botha said.
That dominance at set-piece would also put the French under pressure elsewhere, the 46-year-old added, forcing errors and taking a physical toll over 80 minutes.
Photo: Floris van Schouwenburg/Gallo Images
The post BJ: French no match for Bok scrum appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
South Africa’s set-piece prowess and front-row stocks will prove too strong for France in Paris on Friday night, according to former Springbok prop BJ Botha.
The post BJ: French no match for Bok scrum appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
