The Springboks made the journey from Italy to France on Saturday evening, and arrived at their base later that night, as they now turn their focus immediately to Friday’s kick off against Les Bleus.
Coming off the back of a resounding 66-7 victory over Italy this past weekend, the Springboks will know that they are likely to face a far more formidable challenge from France, a team that in turn claimed an emphatic 54-17 victory against Fiji in Round 4 of the Nations Championship on Saturday.
As it is, France coach Fabien Galthié has recalled a few experienced players for France’s showdown against the Springboks in Paris (kick off at 22:10 SA time), which includes experienced hooker Julien Marchand, centre Gael Fickou, winger Teddy Thomas as well as flyhalf Louis Carbonel and outside back Gael Drean.
Friday’s battle between the Springboks and France will kick off at 22:10 (SA time)Springbok scrumhalf Morne van den Berg, who was named Player of the Match in the opening match of the Nations Championship Northern Series, said there is still work to be done.
“There’s a lot to improve on in our game, which is actually quite exciting,” Van den Berg said after the game, in which he scored one of the Boks’ nine tries.
“We’ll study the video and see exactly where we can improve, but credit to Italy for putting us under pressure in the second half.
“They are an incredible team and nation, and we expected that, but that’s perhaps where we could have been better. They are incredible people and warriors.”