Boks' Focus on Quality Performance in Paris: A Preview of the France Match
The Springboks' Lood de Jager and Manie Libbok are gearing up for a challenging encounter against France on Saturday, acknowledging the intense hype surrounding the game. Despite the excitement, the team's primary focus remains on delivering a quality performance in Paris, as they did when they knocked Les Bleus out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final.
The Test match at the Stade de France is set to begin at 22h10 and will be broadcast live on the Grandstand and SS Rugby channels during DStv Open Time.
De Jager, when asked about the mindset difference between France and the Springboks, emphasized the challenge ahead: "Every Test is a significant challenge for us as a team and personally for each individual. France is a strong team, and we know it will be a tough battle on Saturday, but we're excited about the opportunity."
Libbok shared similar sentiments, stating, "As Lood mentioned, we approach this match with the same preparation as any other Test. Our focus is on our performance on the field. We aim to give our best for the team and the country, and being here is a privilege for each of us."
The Springboks' past encounters with France have been intense, highlighting the quality of their opponents. Libbok acknowledged the impact of the Boks' 29-28 victory, which caused disappointment in France, as it marked their early exit from the Rugby World Cup. He added, "It was a crucial win for us in the World Cup. The match was intense and physically demanding, and it took a toll on both teams. Ultimately, a single point separated us, but we're happy with the result."
Looking ahead to the match, De Jager anticipates a fierce forward battle against the hosts, seeing it as an opportunity to gauge the Bok forwards' current form. With three matches remaining in the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour against Italy, Ireland, and Wales, De Jager highlights the importance of this game: "France has a powerful pack and a confrontational style, making it a significant challenge for us to assess our position on Saturday. They excel in mauls and scrums and play direct rugby, so it will be a valuable test for our forwards."
De Jager also noted France's lineouts as a key strength, stating, "We analyze every team we play, and we've studied their lineouts. Their high success rate in that area and strong maul are definite threats. We must negate these to gain an advantage and secure victory on Saturday."
Libbok expressed satisfaction with the Springbok team's evolution over the last two years since the Rugby World Cup, crediting it for their improved performance. He explained, "Our playing style remains consistent, but we've made adjustments to diversify our game and present different challenges to our opponents. This has significantly contributed to our success in the past two years."
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will announce the matchday squad on Thursday, as the team prepares for the crucial match against France.
