France rugby team plays practice match against Pirates
GREENSIDE – Pirates Rugby Club gets a crack at France before the Springboks do.
Stor-Age Pirates Rugby Club had the honour of hosting the France national team for a practice game ahead of their three-Test series against the Springboks.
The fact that the les Chanticleers (les Tricolores) crushed the local club meant little, as for Pirates it was all about the privilege of testing their mettle against France’s best.
A small crowd of French expats and Pirates fans attended the match on 3 June, as the playing of the game was kept as quiet as possible. No other South African newspapers were present save for the Northcliff Melville Times.
No scores were recorded, but when Pirates scored a breakaway try, the crowd went wild as if Pirates had won.
“Wow it was nice to score that try,” Francois Nicholas said after the game. “The French are a very good side – very fast.”
After the game, the French signed autographs for fans and shared a braai and beer with the local players.
“Rugby exists for the moments we share together,” said France forward coach, Yannick Bru. “It’s nice to share a beer with the boys, it shows the spirit of rugby.”
Pirates treasurer Stephan de Beer said the French had requested the game as a warm-up, and it was an absolute honour to host them.
The local captain, Dale Swanepoel, commented how he had learnt from the French during the match about how to control each set piece with technical perfection.
“They were very good, but I still think the Springboks will beat them,” he quipped.
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