The Springboks are wary of France skipper Antoine Dupont’s influence and expect a strong challenge at scrum time and from the mauls on Friday night in a Paris “cauldron”.
The scrumhalf scored one of eight tries in a 54-17 win over Fiji last week, and is set to lead Les Bleus against the world champions in a blockbuster rematch at the Stade de France.
Bok coach Rassie Erasmus on Monday named his match 23, with two changes from the team that beat Italy 66-7 in South Africa’s Nations Championship tour opener.
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“They will always have a good kicking game with Dupont there,” he said. “I don’t always know if Dupont’s teammates know exactly what he’s going to do next.
“He’s just really playing on instinct, which is tough to handle.”
Erasmus said the Boks respected the French’s tactics and skills while noting they had adjusted their kicking game since the scrapping of the “Dupont Law”.
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“We love to play a team that plays physically like us. I’m not sure if they will 100% play like that, but I know they won’t hide away from physical stuff,” he added.
“They’re always competitive at scrums, and they’re one of the teams that maul the most. Last year, they mauled 70% of their lineouts, even on their exit lineouts.
“In the past they had a long kicking game before the Dupont rule came in. Since then, you can see them move more to contestable games and shorter kicks. And then obviously they’ve got their game-breakers.”
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The Boks have beaten France five straight times at the Stade de France – including a 32-17 victory last year as well as the 29-28 quarter-final thriller at the 2023 World Cup.
Erasmus stressed his men are always motivated to tackle Fabien Galthié’s charges, and that none of the recent Bok-France Tests had been one-sided.
“It’s like when we play New Zealand, Ireland or England, it doesn’t take a lot to get the team up,” he said.
“It’s intimidating, the French crowds in the French stadiums. [But] we enjoy this cauldron, and how they get behind their team.
“It’s not something a lot of players have experienced, so when they get the opportunity, they want to put their best foot forward.”
Photo: Harry Murphy/Getty Images
The post ‘Les Bleus don’t know what Dupont will do’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Springboks are wary of France skipper Antoine Dupont’s influence and expect a strong challenge at scrum time and from the mauls on Friday night in a Paris “cauldron”.
The post ‘Les Bleus don’t know what Dupont will do’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
