French to front up to Bok physicality
Szarzewski and Traille talk about SA from opposite ends of the field
Dimitri Szarzewski and Damien Traille will face similar yet very different kinds of opposition at Newlands against the Springboks on Saturday.
While the youthful Szarzewski will be facing the experienced might of Messrs Du Randt, Smit and Andrews in the front-row, Traille will be hunted down by the marauding Bok back row in the loose.
Szarzewski, who is looking forward to experiencing a Newlands Test atmosphere on the pitch after sitting in the stands last year, is not overawed, however much he respects his opponents.
"There will be a big physical challenge on Saturday against the Springboks, it is a part of their culture," he said.
"To play against the guys like Du Randt and Smit, you must have respect for their experience, they are very good players, very clever, very powerful and obviously very massive!
"It will be good to show what I can do against such a team of physical players."
Szarzewski has played at Newlands one time before, but knows that Saturday will be an entirely different kettle of fish.
"I was here once with the U18 team, but it is my first time with any other team," he said.
"It is a magnificent stadium. I watched the Tri-Nations match between South Africa and New Zealand here last year, and the crowd were incredible. Cordial, but so loud.
"But Pieter [de Villiers] has told us what to expect from South African crowds – and we are playing for him, it is very important to him."
Damien Traille is playing his first Test at fly-half, and could hardly have chosen tougher opponents to pit his wits against for a first time out.
He is likely to be a target for some rough treatment from the Boks, but he says he is up to the task, as Bernard Laporte seeks a back-up to Frédéric Michalak ahead of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
"Of course they will look to put extra pressure on me because it is my first match in this position," said Traille.
"But I will play my usual game, I think it is good enough to deal with that pressure.
"I am confident. It is also an opportunity for me to develop my game one year before the World Cup, so that I can be versatile and cover both positions for the French team.
"I know I will not be perfect first time out, but I hope to create a good enough impression that I will be considered for this post again.
"I love this position, I have played there several times for Biarritz, and I know I can offer a lot using the skills I have learned in both positions, with kicking and running the ball."
