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South African rugby players love France – 58 of them ply their trade in the Top 14 and five of the current Springboks ‘live’ in France.
Perhaps South Africa is using a Trojan horse strategy. Beating the French has been tough for the Springboks.
The two nations have played 38 times and South Africa has won just 21 of those contests.
The Boks and Les Bleus first faced off in Bordeaux in 1913. The score was lopsided; especially for that era of low scores: South Africa 38 – France 5.
It was almost 40 years before the played their second Test in Colombes, which South Africa won 25-3.
In 1958, at Newlands, the first of six draws occurred (3-3). This was only slightly more exciting than the 0-0 draw in 1961.
Interestingly, France has always won when the teams play in Ellis Park: 1958, 1967, 1993, and 2001.
Perhaps that is why South Africa played France in Springs (in 1964). It’s been hard to find a fortress in Africa to repel the French. Durban may be as close as it comes.
However, South Africa has enjoyed success in France: winning both 1968 Tests in France, and both in 1996 and 1997.
The best patch of Bok mastery over France was from 1971 through 17 October 1992, when South Africa won seven and lost none (with one draw).
The most recent match was in 2010, during the FIFA World Cup in Cape Town, when the Boks ran up a 42-17 win, with plenty of highlights.
But France won the last time the teams played in France (20-13 in Marseilles); and that was the powerful 2009 version of the Boks.
How will it play out this time?
I suspect it will be a tight struggle. France has played the best team in the world four times this year. They will not be shocked by South African power and pace, as the Welsh and Scottish appeared to be.
Just watching Jean de Villiers’ try against Wales, frame by frame, reveals startling mismatches between the Boks and the Dragons: Francois Louw easily outpaces Mike Phillips in support, giving Bismarck du Plessis two options – right and left; de Villiers has time to change lines to give Bismarck space; Bryan Habana scythes through George North’s grasp and Bismarck himself is substantially faster than his opposite number, and very powerful in the tackle, as is de Villiers in the end.
France won’t be so easily fooled or run over.
I see this as a 2-1 try match, with ‘local boy’ Morne Steyn winning it with his unerring boot.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.