Former Springbok coach Jake White has tipped his hat to an emotionally charged French team eager for redemption against the world champions this Saturday in Paris. According to White, the sting of the 2023 World Cup quarter-final loss to South Africa is still a fresh wound for France, a team he predicts will be out for blood.
"The Stade de France will bring back all the emotions for the home team. I will never forget Antoine Dupont’s thousand-yard stare at the end of that game," White reminisced. "The dream had died in the most excruciating fashion, with bodies clad in blue strewn over the patchwork green quilt of a pitch, while the Boks, exhausted, raised their hands aloft."
"This is the first time they will get the band back together again, deploying the men who thought they could win a home World Cup. They will be fired up in the dressing room saying, ‘not on our watch again’,"
White wrote, emphasizing the high stakes for the French squad.
White also highlighted the potential psychological edge for France should they snatch a victory against the Springboks. "For France, even more than the Springboks, this is make or break in terms of where they’re going to be in two years [at the 2027 World Cup]."
The match isn't just a test of team strength but also a battlefield for coaching acumen, with Rassie Erasmus and Fabien Galthié leading their respective squads.
"I’ll be interested to see if there are any barbs before the game between Rassie and Fabien,"
noted White. "They are the two most experienced coaches in the Autumn Nations Series and they will try and wind each other up."
As the clash in Paris approaches, all eyes will be on how these two giants of rugby strategize and execute under pressure. With revenge as a powerful motivator and strategic minds at play, Saturday's showdown promises to be more than just a game—it's a clash of titans, each with something monumental to prove.
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Former Springbok coach Jake White has tipped his hat to an emotionally charged French team eager for redemption against the world champions this Saturday in Paris. According to White, the sting of the 2023 World Cup quarter-final loss to South Africa is still a fresh wound for France, a team he predicts will be out for blood.
"The Stade de France will bring back all the emotions for the home team. I will never forget Antoine Dupont’s thousand-yard stare at the end of that game," White reminisced. "The dream had died in the most excruciating fashion, with bodies clad in blue strewn over the patchwork green quilt of a pitch, while the Boks, exhausted, raised their hands aloft."
"This is the first time they will get the band back together again, deploying the men who thought they could win a home World Cup. They will be fired up in the dressing room saying, ‘not on our watch again’,"
White wrote, emphasizing the high stakes for the French squad.White also highlighted the potential psychological edge for France should they snatch a victory against the Springboks. "For France, even more than the Springboks, this is make or break in terms of where they’re going to be in two years [at the 2027 World Cup]."
The match isn't just a test of team strength but also a battlefield for coaching acumen, with Rassie Erasmus and Fabien Galthié leading their respective squads.
"I’ll be interested to see if there are any barbs before the game between Rassie and Fabien,"
noted White. "They are the two most experienced coaches in the Autumn Nations Series and they will try and wind each other up."As the clash in Paris approaches, all eyes will be on how these two giants of rugby strategize and execute under pressure. With revenge as a powerful motivator and strategic minds at play, Saturday's showdown promises to be more than just a game—it's a clash of titans, each with something monumental to prove.