COBUS VISAGIE SAYS THAT THE BIGGEST THREATS TO THE SPRINGBOK SCRUM AT THE WORLD CUP ARE THE INTERPRETATIONS OF FRENCH REFEREES.
The Former Bok tighthead who was the cornerstone of the South African scrum at the 1999 World Cup believes that the current crop of French referees approach things differently at scrum-time to the rest of the international panel, which is something that the Springboks need to be prepared for.
Much has been made of the difference in scrum interpretations between northern and southern hemisphere referees, but Visagie has got far more confidence in the likes of Englishman Wayne Barnes and Welshman Nigel Owens than their French counterparts.
"My opinion is that at the moment the French referees on the international board are just way off the mark.
"I wouldn't put everyone in there, I think that Wayne Barnes and most notably Nigel Owens are very good at refereeing the scrums so I don't think that [northern hemisphere] is an issue.
"The problem is that the French have got their own system and the French referees on the panel at the moment I feel are technically very weak," Visagie told rugby365 in an exclusive interview.
The Boks recently fell foul of French referee Romain Poite who penalised them heavily at scrum-time in the defeat to Argentina at Kings Park, prompting scrum coach Pieter de Villiers to 'seek clarity' from World Rugby referees boss Joel Jutge on the matter.
De Villiers himself played many Tests in the front row for France, and will know as well as anyone that the key at the World Cup will be how quickly the players are able to adapt to the interpretations of the referee on the day.
Visagie has been impressed with the way that Springbok front row veterans Tendai Mtawarira and Jannie and Bismarck du Plessis came through in the Rugby Championship, but pointed out that their improved scrumming form may have more to do with the locks backing them up in the Springbok side than anything else.
"I think Jannie, Beast and Bismarck played exceptionally well in the Rugby Championship, and if they can play like that in the World Cup it will put us in a very good position.
"I think the likes of Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager are just much better scrummagers than they have at the Sharks so I think that played a role," he said.
Looking at the different threats to the Springbok scrum at the World Cup, Visagie said that France and Argentina have the most potential to give South Africa a hard time.
"No team should be dominant against a South African pack of forwards, I think a pack of forwards like the French can be very dangerous and I think the Pumas.
"The only threat to the South African scrum would be the French and the Pumas," he said.
The former Saracens prop does not expect heavy conditions in England, pointing out that the weather is generally pretty good in September and the pitches in the knock-out stages will all be of good quality.
"September and October can be the warmest and driest months over here [England] so I would agree with people who are saying it might be a faster World Cup than some people expect.
"September is usually a dry month in the UK, so I don't think there is going to be a problem with fields, maybe as we approach the end of the World Cup conditions may deteriorate but Twickenham has got a very good pitch so I don't think it will be a problem," he added.
By Michael de Vries
