Rassie Erasmus has credited the hostility of French crowds with helping to galvanise the Springboks, as the world champions prepare to face France at the Stade de France on Friday.
The Boks have endured a frosty reception in France since knocking the hosts out of their own World Cup in a controversial quarterfinal, with animosity evident in subsequent matches. Yet South Africa have prevailed in each encounter, and Erasmus confirmed that the adversity serves as motivation rather than a hindrance.
"We always get up for a game like this. The French crowds and stadiums are foreign to us and France is a tough place to play but that makes it really enjoyable for us," Erasmus said. "Like when we play New Zealand or England, it doesn't require a lot to be done to get the team up for it when we play against France. We enjoy the French vibe and the way they get behind their team."
The Bok coach referenced the narrow defeat in Marseille in 2022, when Pieter-Steph du Toit was red-carded early, followed by two tight victories since. He refused to speculate on why South Africa tend to edge the close contests against France, citing respect for the opposition.
"I can't say why we win, or give you a reason why we win, because we might lose on Friday," Erasmus said. "What I can say is that we have a lot of respect for France, who we regard as a very good team, and we enjoy the physical as well as the tactical battle. They have guys who have a lot of skill and also guys who have a lot of power. It is a big challenge to play against France."
Erasmus also dismissed suggestions that France's injury absentees made the Springboks clear favourites, pointing to South Africa's own missing personnel.