As South Africa prepares to challenge the French XV this Saturday, the painful memory of the quarter-final of the 2023 World Cup resurfaces.
Romain Ntamack, this week, did not hesitate to mention “ a trauma » when mentioning the quarter-final of the 2023 World Cup lost by the XV of France ahead of South Africa by one point. With the arbitration controversy that we know. If he was not present on the pitch that day, injured, the Toulouse opener does not hide his desire for revenge this Saturday at the XV of France.
It is in fact against the Springboks that the Blues will begin their autumn tour, before taking on Fiji and Australia. With a thought of course for the sad episode of two years ago. Even if national coach Fabien Galthié also wants to see it as a legacy. “ It remains an incredibly rich experience. An experience that leads us to progresshe judged this Thursday at a press conference. We are looking to the future. There are 20 matches left until preparation for the World Cup… »
In the meantime, the South Africans have not forgotten anything either. And this is obviously a good opportunity to rub salt in the wound. On social networks, the Springboks are having fun relaying Damian de Allende’s try during this cursed last confrontation between the Greens and the Blues. This to the tune of “ça plan pour moi” by Plastic Bertrand…
A scarecrow for the XV of France
Worse, the legend of the said post does not lack spice for the French and their fifteen players. “Memories of Paris”, underline the Sud-Af’, willingly teasing at the time. In the last nine confrontations between the French XV and the reigning double world champions, the Blues have only had the last word once. In November 2022 in Marseille (30-26).
“ This is a team we’ve only beaten once in the last 15 yearsindeed recalls Fabien Galthié.
Many players will discover South Africa which has been world champion four times in eight competitions. (…)
We have never played such a strong team, it is the strongest we have played in seven years, without problem, with a very clear identity card. » The stage is set.
