French defence a massive challenge for Boks – Erasmus

One of the biggest challenges for the Springboks in their Rugby World Cup quarterfinal against France in Saint-Denis on Sunday night will be trying to breach the defences of the host nation, according to SA Rugby director Rassie Erasmus.

Erasmus was talking at a press conference earlier this week and highlighted the impressive French defence, which has only seen their tryline breached five times in four pool games, as a major key aspect that the Boks would be focusing on heading into the match.

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It could become a battle of whose defence holds out the best as the Boks themselves have only conceded four tries in their four pool games, three of which came against a very physical Tonga side in their last game.

‘League grunt’

“Wherever Shaun (Edwards, French defence coach) coaches he gets a passion in the team for defence. I have been in World Rugby meetings where we break into little groups and he’s a very interesting character the way he looks at the game,” explained Erasmus.

“He, together with a guy like Andy Farrell, has come from a (rugby) league background and brings that league grunt, physicality and big collisions into the game. 

“I think if you want to do something great it will never be in ideal circumstances and I think we are up against it, not just on the defence but the home crowd.

“The improvement France have shown in the last four years and what Fabien (Galthie, head coach) has done, not just with Shaun, but in every department … this will be one of the biggest challenges as a coaching team.”

Major boost

What could be a major boost for the home side is the possible return of inspirational captain Antoine Dupont, who was cleared to train this week after he fractured his cheekbone earlier in the tournament, and he will be available for selection for the match.

Erasmus believes that should he be available he will have no trouble slotting straight back in despite the difficulties coming off a few weeks out with injury.

“I think a lack of fitness won’t be a problem with him. I have actually never seen him sweat on the field, he’s so emotionless when he plays. He always looks so in control, obviously him being the captain,” said Erasmus.

“The whole country of France, the whole world has respect for him. I broke my jaw three times and you can actually get leaner because you can’t eat (as well). The next thing is you can run, he is definitely a guy who is not afraid to tackle, he’s a guy whose kicking and passing is still (good).

“He’s a guy when he goes into a Test match he’ll still do his tackles because it has been three weeks, his surgeon cleared him. I have no doubt he will play and will be a big challenge for us to try and contain.”