Boks maybe the best team ever says Galthie
SPOTLIGHT: It’s not uncommon for coaches to compliment each other ahead of any match.
However, given the recent history between France and South Africa, not many would’ve expected head coach Fabien Galthie to sing the praises of the opposition that ended his and his team’s World Cup dreams in their own backyard two years ago.
During the build-up to the highly anticipated match, Galthie labelled Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks as “maybe the best team ever.”
Since the Boks’ World Cup triumph in Paris in 2023, they’ve only lost four Tests to date.
Once against Ireland, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.
The World Champions won back-to-back Freedom Cups, Rugby Championships and Nelson Mandela Challenge Plates and put a record 43-10 score on New Zealand in Wellington.
Galthie’s team for this weekend’s clash are a shadow of the one that went down in that 2023 RWC quarterfinal, with several absentees and most notably, Antoine Dupont being the biggest one of them.
The France boss said that his team could’ve been stronger, but he is happy to work with what he has after blooding some experience during their tour to New Zealand in July.
“We have a lot of players who are absent or injured that could potentially be in the team,” Galthie said.
“We have players who have experienced the game too.
“Sometimes you have to look backwards to go forwards,” he added.
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Two other Les Bleus players to benefit from the July tour were props Regis Montagne and Baptiste Erdocio, who will win their third caps against the Springboks.
They play in the absence of regular tight-head Uini Atonio and first-choice loose-head Cyril Baille.
The inexperienced pair will face a grizzly Springbok pack with an average of 70 caps per forward, including captain Siya Kolisi on his 100th Test appearance.
“We’re very proud of taking on this massive challenge, and of their career paths,” Galthie said of Montagne and Erdocio.
“I think it would be vexing to hear criticism which diminishes their presence,” he added.
Source: @AFP
