VIDEO: Dupont v De Klerk the key?
It is two decades since South Africa visited Marseille for a Test against France.
That encounter, November 2002 at Stade Vélodrome, did not end well for the Springboks.
Les Bleus recorded a comprehensive 30-10 win in what has been the only international encounter between the two countries in the capital of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region on the Mediterranean Sea.
Given France’s current status, as the No.2 ranked team in the world and on an 11-match winning streak, South Africa will be the undisputed underdogs.
However, seasoned Springbok Francois de Klerk is adamant they are not going roll over and play dead.
De Klerk believes the Springboks are in a far better place than their last visit to France, when the Springboks edged Les Bleus 29-26 at Stade de France in Paris in November 20187.
“When we started out in 2018 we were a new group that had to work through a lot of aspects,” he told @rugby365com, adding: “[We needed to] get out defensive systems in place, our kicking game and attack right.
“We are well down the road from where we started.”
The 31-year-old, 43-times capped Bok admitted there has been a number of changes this past season, with some talented youngsters coming through.
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“However, the core of the group is still there from 2018,” De Klerk said, adding that their focus is on giving a good performance at Stade Vélodrome on Saturday.
The Springbok scrumhalf that French rival Antoine Dupont is a massive threat at Stade Vélodrome on Saturday.
De Klerk said France’s game revolves around the Les Bleus scrumhalf.
“They keep their big forwards close to him,” the Bok No.9 said, adding: “They don’t play a lot off No.10.
“They ensure their big ball carries come around the corner and get them on the front foot, which open holes for him [Dupont].
“He is extremely quick and strong.
“We will need to be on top of our game. We have some clever forwards around the rucks that can sort that out.
Dupont, despite having been on the losing side in each of the three Tests he’s played against the Springboks, has evolved into a world-class scrumhalf that was named the World Rugby Player of the Year for 2021.
However, Australia last week managed to put him under pressure and rein in the French magician.
“You can get to him, but he is playing in a great side and is full of confidence.
“Hopefully we can put him under pressure and put him on the back foot.
The Bok No.9 said containing Dupont won’t be solely his task.
“If I get the chance to get close to him, I’ll try whatever I can to stop him,” De Klerk said.
“We [the Boks] do have a different defensive system.
“I think they [the Wallabies] may have told Nick White to take care of him, but we’re sticking to our system and once we get the opportunity to stop him, I will do my best.
“In general play, we’re not always going to be close to each other, so it’s going to be a team effort to ensure he’s taken care of.
“However, when you look at their side, we can’t just be worried about him. They have other strengths that we need to take care of.”
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