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.
Harry Jones
Guest
Oosthuizen exceeded my expectations at 3. Maybe he can be a tight head? Bismarck looked tired. Strauss OK. Beast ran as hard as ever; good on him. Etzebeth injury severe? Or just bad sprain? Bakkies loved every second; great to see. Flip was tough and active. Great guy. Loose trio dominated; I thought. Key. Halves were shaky; except off tee. So-so. Midfield choked FR. And DID score a try. :) Wings looked for work. Classy. Willie looked like a maestro... Kolisi was good off the bench. Smart player. Gürthro played his socks off; I've been critical. PS du Toit had fun...
ScotandProud
Guest
Thought Fouries try should have been allowed: I wouldn't have given the other one. Boks the better team by a distance. I am concerned that Meyer needs to find a new generation of players for 2015, some of these guys have been around a LONG time.
IvanN
Roar Guru
Good win for the boks, but felt a bit frustrated by some critical decisions. French try, seemed to have been touched from an offside position - try given. Fourie try, ball goes behind willie, no try awarded. Louw try, frenchman has zero downward pressure on the ball - no try given. Louw yellow, in front of ref frenchman hits de villiers on the head and louw retaliates. louw gets yellow. then the pitch was an absolute shocker, France were bashed in the tackles, thought the scoreline flattered their performance - Boks should have won this by 20
Harry Jones
Guest
Maybe this will be the performance that knocks Pienaar down to third...
DR
Guest
HM stance with halfbacks is odd to me. Pienaar is a real head scratcher. Happy for Willie though. He adds so much to the back line from 15. I hope he stays there.
Harry Jones
Guest
Once again, I can never really complain about a win in France, and the scoreline was a bit better than I expected. France fought hard, but to me, looked a bit out-manned.
Thanks DR and Parisien. The Frnech certainly lifted their game against SA and NZ. I thought we controlled the game well, Ruan Pienaar is a huge concern for me, his loss of focus at the end of the first half cost us a try, then his chargedown could well have costed us another. He is pedantic, slow, sluggish, lazy and frustrating to watch. Our attacking game deoends on quick ball which we didn't see tonight. Willie le Roux is fast becoming vital to our backline. He has an eye for a gap, hits the holes with pace and brings excitement to our attack.
Parisien
Guest
Well that was physical! Well done South Africa on a deserved win. The Bleus not too far away from the top two teams! They've ended their year strongly and are showing more fight and cohesion.
DR
Guest
Congratulations on a good win South Africa. Only 1 try conceded this EOYT. Would think a satisfying way to end a pretty positive year. Enjoy the break, rest up and let's do it again next year!!!
Harry Jones
Expert
+1000000
ThelmaWrites
Guest
I was just about to write about that! How can one ever forget Ras, or the varied reactions of the Boks while the anthem was being sang, like Schalk scowling and Habana closing his eyes and trying not to snigger?
Lambie is not done, Heyneke Meyer says he sees Lambie as his utility player between 10 and 15. So I suppose that will be his lot for the rest of his career. Play from the bench and when injuries permit, he will start. The good news is Kirchner is no longer first choice at 15
dc-nz
Guest
It will be the best game of the weekend better than the AB game in Dublin. I notice you crazy Bokke fans have stopped touting, or even talking about Lambie. Is he done at Test level? DC NZ
Garth
Guest
Going from memory (AB's vs. England, Old Trafford, 1993), football pitches in Europe tend to be softer than their rugby pitches. The Old Trafford pitch gouged up the instant the first scrum packed down, the groundsmen were shown briefly, their face's in shock at the damage.
Rusty
Roar Guru
how do you like being gripped squirrel?
Squirrel
Guest
The two dirtiest sides going toe to toe, Their will be Glasgow kisses, squirrel grips, punches and all ins in this one.
Squirrel
Guest
Expect a dirty fight 4 yellow cards and all in brawls. Cant wait.
Harry Jones
Guest
Excellent article on SA's improved technique at the breakdown: http://m.sarugbymag.co.za/?postslug=#bok-brutes-add-subtle-edge
Harry Jones
Guest
Cheslin at 9: he must not wear a scrum cap, then. I won't allow scrum halves in caps...
Harry Jones
Guest
Good point. But Willie le Roux makes up things as he goes along, too.