While listing South Africa’s own absentees, Rassie Erasmus rejected suggestions that France’s injuries made the Springboks clear favourites at the Stade de France on Friday.
This after the Bok boss on Monday named a match 23 with just two changes from the team that demolished Italy 66-7 in the Nations Championship clash in Turin last week.
French rival Fabien Galthié has recalled several experienced players for the Paris clash. Flyhalf Romain Ntamack notably injured his shoulder during Saturday’s 54-17 win over Fiji. Les Bleus are already without playmakers Matthieu Jalibert and Thomas Ramos.
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“I can mention for you all the guys who aren’t here, and please don’t just say that because I say we’re also understrength, don’t take it that way,” Erasmus told the media.
“Yes, I know they have injuries, but for us, Frans Malherbe is not here, and he’s going to play in January. He’ll be considered for the World Cup next year.
“RG Snyman is not here. Even Eben Etzebeth has just flown out. He’s not going to get picked. Kwagga Smith is not here. André Esterhuizen is not here. Handré Pollard is not here. Cheslin Kolbe is not here.
“So, who’s understrength? Different times of the year, different injuries happen.”
Erasmus said the world champions were nearing the end of a long season, while Galthié’s men were building towards the Six Nations.
He added that having players based in Japan had helped South Africa manage workloads and keep the squad fresh, but admitted he did not understand the discussion around favourites.
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“At the back end of our season, we’ve got a maximum of three games left,” Erasmus continued. “I think June is their window where they’re really match-fit, energetic and they’re not punch drunk.
“We feel at the end of the season we really have to graft – us, New Zealand, Australia, maybe Japan, Argentina. And they are building up to these matches, and then they have the Six Nations in two months’ time.
“But I sometimes struggle to understand why, if we’re clear favourites, it doesn’t make a difference, or when they’re clear favourites, it doesn’t make a difference.
“So, being the favourites is probably … They might think they are, and we might think we are. The only bad thing about thinking you’re the favourites is you might become complacent, and we are definitely not complacent for this game.”
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Photo: Chris Ricco/Getty Images
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While listing South Africa’s own absentees, Rassie Erasmus rejected suggestions that France’s injuries made the Springboks clear favourites at the Stade de France on Friday.
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