Boks to unleash their own 'Frenchman'

'That game in Marseilles was a tough one'

There is something distinctly French about quicksilver Springbok back Brent Russell. Speedy, daring and with the potential to unlock even the tighest of defences, his unpredictability on attack could turn Saturday's one-off clash with Les Bleus on its head.

Whilst Russell's off-the-cuff style of play is thrilling to watch, and even better to report on, his doubters are quick to highlight his high-risk approach as a weakness in his game.

Come Saturday, however, in what will be his first Test start in nearly two years, Russell has a chance to hand those same doubters a very subtle "up yours" when he lines up, against France, in the green No.14 shirt.

Springbok coach Jake White did not want to give too much away this week when asked about Russell's selection (as a replacement for the injured Breyton Paulse), but the Bok boss would surely be banking on the little man's flair and fearlessness to 'have a go'.

"Hopefully that's one of the reasons Jake's picked me and that he sees some value in my play," the typically modest Russell tells rugby365.com. "And hopefully it'll be another good Newlands day for me."

Russell's Springbok record at Newlands is exemplary; played three, won three, but his overall record against France hangs in the balance, having lost his first Test against Les Bleus in Marseilles in 2002 and coming off the bench during SA's series-clinching win over the French in Port Elizabeth last year.

"That game in Marseilles was a tough one," laments Russell. "We were at the end of a long season, plus we lost Jean early on, in what his Test debut. Jean's loss had a massive impact on us and we ended up losing by a few in the end."

Forget a few, the Boks suffered a 30-10 pasting against the French, a record one at that, whilst Russell's reputation took a slight dip after a disappointing performance on the wing.

"I've learnt a lot since that night," assures Russell, "both in terms of playing against France and positionally, in terms of playing on the wing.

"We did well against France in South Africa last year and we also learnt tons against them in Paris at the end of the year. Personally, even though I think I might be better suited to fullback, I've since played a lot on the wing for the Sharks and, as a result, my positional play has improved a lot."

And then there is also the presence of born-again fullback Percy Montgomery, who with 75 Tests to his credit has more caps than the entire Bok backline did that harsh, and disappointing, night in Marseilles back in 2002.

Russell continues: "What more can I say? Percy's played over 70 Tests, he has so much experience, which helps calms the nerves around him."

Not that Russell needs too much calming down, despite the task at hand this Saturday.

"We need to be careful of their entire team," warns the 'Pocket Rocket'. "They're experienced up front and amongst the backs, but I'm really expecting a tough battle between the forwards. I guess the weather will determine whether it's a running game or not, but it's France, so we're expecting the unexpected."

Expect the unexpected… Funny, didn't someone once say that about Brent Russell?

By Howard Kahn