Springbok lock Lood de Jager and flyhalf Manie Libbok acknowledge the daunting challenge ahead as South Africa prepares to face France on Saturday.
Following the exhilarating 29-28 victory over Les Bleus in the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final, both players emphasize that their priority is to deliver a top-notch performance in Paris.
The match at the Stade de France kicks off at 22h10 and will be available live on the Grandstand and the SS Rugby channels via DStv Open Time.
“Every Test is a significant challenge for us as a team and for each individual,” De Jager remarked when discussing the mindset ahead of the match. “They are a very good team, and we understand that it’s going to be a substantial challenge on Saturday, but we are excited for it.”
Libbok echoed this sentiment, saying, “As Lood said, we are preparing for this match as we do with every other Test. Our focus within the team is on ourselves and what we aim to achieve on the field. It is an honor for each of us to represent the team and the country.”
Reflecting on their history with France, Libbok observed, “Past encounters have always been difficult, demonstrating the quality of their team and the challenges we face here. This week will not be any different.”
When asked about the emotional toll of their last-minute victory over France, Libbok commented, “It was a significant outcome for us during the World Cup. The game was extremely physical and intense, leaving us drained. Ultimately, the match was closely contested, but we are glad to have come away with the win.”
Looking ahead to the match, De Jager foresees a tough contest against the French forwards, which will act as a crucial gauge for the Springbok pack, especially with the upcoming fixtures against Italy, Ireland, and Wales in the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour.
De Jager highlighted France’s lineouts as a serious threat, noting, “We’ve scrutinized their gameplay and observed their impressive lineout success rate, along with a robust maul, so we need to find ways to counter that in order to gain an advantage.”
Libbok expressed satisfaction with the Springboks' development over the past two years since the Rugby World Cup, which he believes has enhanced their overall performance. “Our core playing style remains intact, but we have made adjustments to broaden our game, presenting varied strategies to opponents, which has certainly improved our game in recent times,” shared the flyhalf, who played in both matches against France in 2022 and 2023.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will announce the matchday squad on Thursday.
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