‘We enjoy this cauldron,’ says Erasmus about Boks taking on France on home turf

Rassie Erasmus, the Springboks coach, has expressed his team's eagerness to face France in an upcoming Nations Championship match at the Stade de France in Saint Denis. Over the past decade, France has emerged as one of the Boks' greatest challenges outside of the All Blacks and Ireland, forming a fierce rivalry. Despite the close nature of recent encounters, the Boks have historically dominated, securing nine out of the last ten matches.

However, the margin between the two teams has been narrowing, with only one win coming from a resounding 32-17 victory in 2021 after trailing at halftime. Excluding that remarkable comeback, the remaining matches were decided within four points, including France's 30-26 win in Marseille in 2022, which ended a seven-game losing streak, and the Boks' narrow victories in Saint Denis in 2017 and 2018.

France entered the 2023 World Cup quarterfinal with a 29-28 win, further fueling their desire for revenge. This time, they are even more fired up, and Erasmus believes the electrifying atmosphere at the French stadiums will only intensify the challenge. "It's like when we play New Zealand, Ireland or England, it doesn't take a lot to get the team up. It's intimidating, the French crowds in the French stadiums. But we enjoy this cauldron, and how they get behind their team," Erasmus said.

The Boks' main concerns will be the French kicking game and the unpredictable performance of their superstar Antoine Dupont, who missed last year's game due to injury. Erasmus acknowledges the difficulty in predicting Dupont's moves, attributing it to his instinct-driven playing style. The coach emphasizes the Boks' shared preference for physical play, noting that France will likely not shy away from scrums and mauls, even if the intensity might vary since the implementation of the Dupont rule.

France's extensive lineout contesting, with 70% of their lineouts contested last year, and their recent shift towards shorter, contestable kicks will add another layer of complexity for the Boks. Looking ahead to the Friday night clash in Paris, kick-off at 10.10pm, the Boks are ready to embrace the challenge and enjoy the "cauldron" created by the French fans.