Bok legends spell out challenge facing France

INTERVIEW: France have been given a timely warning ahead of Friday’s Test against the Springboks at the Stade de France, with a collection of South African rugby legends explaining exactly what makes facing the world champions such a daunting challenge.

Their message is clear: the physical battle is not simply part of the Springboks’ game – it is central to their identity.

From the dominance of the forward pack and the intensity of their defence to the confrontational nature of their play, the former greats believe France will need to match South Africa physically if they are to stand a chance.

As one of the most experienced voices in the group puts it, matching the Springboks physically means being halfway towards meeting the challenge.

Former Springbok greats Beast Mtawarira, Os du Randt, Schalk Burger, Jean de Villiers, John Smit, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield, Faf de Klerk, Bryan Habana, Francois Steyn, Fourie du Preez and Naas Botha joined current Springbok stars Malcolm Marx and Jesse Kriel in interviews with Gueules du Rugby ahead of the clash in Paris.

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Their comments offered an insight into the mindset that has underpinned South Africa’s success over the years, as well as some memorable moments they experienced against France and at the iconic Stade de France.

Memories of the Stade de France

Several of the former Springboks have particularly strong connections with the famous Paris venue.

Mtawarira, affectionately known as the Beast, reached 97 Test caps during the Springboks’ November 2017 European tour, while Os du Randt and John Smit were part of the South African side that faced France in November 2005, when the hosts claimed a 26–20 victory.

Du Randt started in the front row alongside captain Smit and tighthead prop CJ van der Linde. The Springbok pack made its physical presence felt, putting the French forwards under pressure and forcing coach Bernard Laporte to turn to his replacements before the hour mark.

Jean de Villiers enjoyed a more memorable outcome at the stadium in November 2013, when he captained South Africa to a 19-10 victory. It ended a 16-year wait for a Springbok win over France on French soil and capped a successful season under coach Heyneke Meyer.

For Smit, the Stade de France is particularly special as the venue where he captained South Africa to the 2007 Rugby World Cup title, although he lost both of his Test appearances against France at the stadium.

Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield also helped write a significant chapter in Springbok history there, starting together in the second row as South Africa beat England 15-6 in the 2007 World Cup Final.

Matfield was one of the key figures in that triumph, with the Springboks’ set-piece dominance proving crucial.

Faf de Klerk also has a memorable connection with the venue, having come off the bench in the dramatic 2023 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal against France. South Africa edged the hosts 29-28 in one of the most memorable matches in the tournament’s history, with De Klerk playing his part in the defensive effort.

Habana’s Stade de France highlights include scoring twice in the 37-13 semifinal victory over Argentina at the 2007 World Cup, before starting in the final against England. He also featured in South Africa’s 2013 victory over France.

François Steyn was just 20 when he helped the Springboks lift the Webb Ellis Cup in Paris in 2007. He later played club rugby in France for Racing 92 and Montpellier.

Naas Botha, meanwhile, never played against France at the Stade de France. He retired from international rugby in 1992, six years before the stadium opened. He played his Tests against France on French soil at the Stade de Gerland in Lyon and the Parc des Princes in Paris.

Springbok legends on the physical challenge

Before we get the legends’ comments, here is what Malcolm Marx and Jesse Kriel had to say.

Marx: “We pride ourselves on certain aspects of the game and it’s never, I wouldn’t say it’s an easy game playing against the Springboks.”

Kriel: “Obviously we’ve always played a really strong, abrasive, confrontational game.”

For the former players, the physical contest has always been one of the defining features of South African rugby.

Beast Mtawarira:

“You know, but one thing you know, the physical side of it, you [are] definitely going to feel.”

Os du Randt:

“I think we always pride ourselves on the brutal aspect of the game.

“We like the contact, we like to be in people’s faces.”

Schalk Burger:

“You don’t want to show an area of weakness or think that you’re weak physically or have your opposition or a youngster running over you.”

Jean de Villiers:

“So, when you stick your head into a ruck, you do know that there’s something coming and we want to make sure that every time you experience that physicality – that you think twice the next time before you do the same.”

John Smit:

“South Africa for a very long time and probably still to this day, it’s one of the few teams that actually don’t mind not having the ball. They quite enjoy defence, they quite enjoy inflicting themselves physically.”

Bakkies Botha:

“At the end of the day, if a person is going to play against a Springboks team in a Test, you really have to know, listen, if we can match them physically, we’re 50% there.”

Victor Matfield:

“When we go into games, we dominate set-piece, we dominate the gain line.”

Faf de Klerk:

“If you get physical dominance, be it set-piece, be it carries, you’re always moving forward.

“It’s just a massive, massive thing for the team.”

Bryan Habana:

“When you come up against opposition, they know that if they’re not physically going to step up to the challenge, they’re going to get found wanting. It’s going to be a very long day.”

Francois Steyn:

“I think we try to evolve, but we have our strong points. If we stick to our strong points, South Africa will always develop. I’m just very happy that I was on the other side of a ruck whenever guys like Bakkies and Victor.”

Fourie du Preez:

“I was just very happy that I never had to play against those guys again.”

Naas Botha:

“If you want to talk brutal, that is brutal. That is brutal.”