Laporte relishes taking on new Boks
Saturday, 9 November 2002
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France may be the Six Nations champions with an unbeaten record here at the Stade Vélodrome, where they face South Africa tonight, but the French coach, Bernard Laporte, is expecting a tough match against the new-look Springboks.
France may be the Six Nations champions with an unbeaten record here at the Stade Vélodrome, where they face South Africa tonight, but the French coach, Bernard Laporte, is expecting a tough match against the new-look Springboks.
"South Africa are a team with a new face, the players no longer have any hang-ups," Laporte said. "It's exciting to play them a year before the World Cup. We're going to face a contender for the title."
France beat Australia here a year ago, the precursor to a magnificent Six Nations Grand Slam. But the Tricolores were beaten in their three summer Tests, losing twice to Australia and once to Argentina.
France's Thomas Castaignède returns to international rugby tonight after a two-year absence due to a ruptured Achilles tendon that required four operations.
"I think what made me hold on for nearly two years is a wish not to finish my career in such a sad way," Castaignède said. He replaces the injured Tony Marsh.
The Springbok centre Robbie Fleck was forced to pull out yesterday due to a hamstring strain and was replaced by Adrian Jacobs. Rookies Jean de Villiers and Bakkies Botha will start for the Boks. De Villiers will play outside centre and Botha is in the second row.
France (v South Africa, Marseilles, tonight, 7.45pm GMT): N Brusque; V Clerc, T Castaignède, D Traille, C Heymans; F Gelez, F Galthie (capt); J-J Crenca, R Ibañez, P de Villiers, F Pelous, O Brouzét, Serge Betsen, Olivier Magne, Imanol Harinordoquy. Replacements: J-B Rue, S Marconnet, T Privat, S Chabal, D Yachvili, G Merceron, X Garbajosa.
South Africa: W Greeff; B Paulse, J de Villiers, A Jacobs, B Russell; A Pretorius, N de Kock; J van Niekerk, A J Venter, C Krige (captain), J Labuschagne, B Botha, W Meyer, J Dalton, L Sephaka. Replacements: M Joubert, B James, B Conradie, P Wannenburg, M Wentzel, L van Biljon, W Roux.
Referee: A Rolland (Ireland).
