Imagine being so good that even with two players down, you'd still back yourself to win. That’s the level of swagger the Springboks brought to Paris, according to former captain Jean de Villiers. Reflecting on their robust 32-17 win over France at the Stade de France, De Villiers didn't hold back, calling it a "coaching masterclass" courtesy of Rassie Erasmus. Even the red card to Lood de Jager couldn't throw a spanner in the works.
On The Verdict podcast, De Villiers elaborated, saying, “It was a coaching masterclass and a physical performance across the park that I haven’t seen in a long time. Even if we had gone two men down, I still think South Africa would have won that game. The planning and tactics were perfect, and the intensity was something no one can match right now.”
Robbie Fleck, former Springbok centre and coach, chimed in, acknowledging that the seeds of victory were sown well before the match.
“By the 15th minute you could see the French were in trouble,”
he noted. The Boks didn't just turn up to play; they were ready for anything, including playing with reduced numbers. “The extra game against Japan gave us an edge. Damian de Allende told me they’ve never trained that hard – the intensity of the sessions has gone to another level. Rassie is a brilliant rugby mind; you can see the plan unfold – everything is accounted for.”
The Boks also showed they could adapt on the fly, with Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani praising the tactical reshuffle post-red card. “You can’t afford to lose your lineout in the second half – that call balanced the game,” he mentioned. Hlungwani lauded the Boks' tactics as "slow poison," gradually wearing down the French pack.
The bench played a pivotal role too, with Fleck applauding the strategic substitutions. “Bringing the experienced guys on at the right time swung momentum completely.” Hlungwani agreed, noting that even with 14 men, the Boks kept the French guessing with a mix of maul threats, contestables, quick taps, and chips in behind.
What we saw in Paris was not just a win but a statement. The Springboks didn’t just beat France; they outclassed them, outplanned them, and, dare I say, outfoxed them at their own game.
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Imagine being so good that even with two players down, you'd still back yourself to win. That’s the level of swagger the Springboks brought to Paris, according to former captain Jean de Villiers. Reflecting on their robust 32-17 win over France at the Stade de France, De Villiers didn't hold back, calling it a "coaching masterclass" courtesy of Rassie Erasmus. Even the red card to Lood de Jager couldn't throw a spanner in the works.
On The Verdict podcast, De Villiers elaborated, saying, “It was a coaching masterclass and a physical performance across the park that I haven’t seen in a long time. Even if we had gone two men down, I still think South Africa would have won that game. The planning and tactics were perfect, and the intensity was something no one can match right now.”
Robbie Fleck, former Springbok centre and coach, chimed in, acknowledging that the seeds of victory were sown well before the match.
“By the 15th minute you could see the French were in trouble,”
he noted. The Boks didn't just turn up to play; they were ready for anything, including playing with reduced numbers. “The extra game against Japan gave us an edge. Damian de Allende told me they’ve never trained that hard – the intensity of the sessions has gone to another level. Rassie is a brilliant rugby mind; you can see the plan unfold – everything is accounted for.”The Boks also showed they could adapt on the fly, with Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwani praising the tactical reshuffle post-red card. “You can’t afford to lose your lineout in the second half – that call balanced the game,” he mentioned. Hlungwani lauded the Boks' tactics as "slow poison," gradually wearing down the French pack.
The bench played a pivotal role too, with Fleck applauding the strategic substitutions. “Bringing the experienced guys on at the right time swung momentum completely.” Hlungwani agreed, noting that even with 14 men, the Boks kept the French guessing with a mix of maul threats, contestables, quick taps, and chips in behind.
What we saw in Paris was not just a win but a statement. The Springboks didn’t just beat France; they outclassed them, outplanned them, and, dare I say, outfoxed them at their own game.