Romain Ntamack is looking forward to facing South Africa this Saturday with the XV of France. For the revenge of a match that he did not play.
The XV of France is tackling heavy duty this weekend to kick off its fall tour. Before meeting Fiji (November 15) and Australia (November 22), the Blues have a meeting with South Africa this Saturday at the Stade de France. For the first time since a quarter-final of the 2023 World Cup of sad memory.
Defeated by one point and in the refereeing controversy (28-29), Fabien Galthié’s men had given up their dream of a supreme coronation at home. An injury that is still painful today. “ Of course, I was not present during this quarter-final, but the trauma went beyond the players who were on the field that day », admits Romain Ntamack.
Then victim of a rupture of the cruciate ligaments of the left knee, the tricolor opener experienced from afar the disillusionment of his family. But his heart didn’t bleed any less. “ Since then, time has passed and we are really focusing on this 2025 match to get our November tour off to a good start. », he breathes at the Marcoussis national center, relayed by L’Equipe.
“A big challenge to take on”
Not intimidated for a penny, the 26-year-old Toulouse does not hide his impatience to rub shoulders with the elite of the oval. “ We will mainly play the double world champions. Once again, this will be a big challenge to take on. Regardless of the result, the content will have to give us an important collective experience for the rest of our path to the World Cup in Australia. (…) Nothing will be finished whatever the outcome of this meeting. It must help us to progress further. »
“ It’s been an impressive team for quite a few years.finally judge Romain Ntamack. Being a double world champion with players who are still there today and who will still be there in 2027 is still quite exceptional. All this while also bringing in interesting young players, young guys who are raising their level. They have a very strong team, as we saw during the last Rugby Championship. They have overpowered forwards, overpowered three-quarters. When they are moving forward and have fast balls, they are very difficult to stop, so it will also be a high-level physical challenge to overcome on Saturday. »
