South Africa v France:SOUTH AFRICA vice-captain Victor Matfield has warned his side the battle of the breakdown will be crucial when they host France in Cape Town today.
The Springboks host the Six Nations champions at Newlands on the back of their 34-31 win against Wales in Cardiff last weekend, and Bulls secondrow Matfield is expecting another stern examination.
“This is a very big game,” he said. “The French are up there with the leading teams in the world and while we’ve not been very successful against them of late, it’s nice to play them in South Africa for a change. Our preparation has been good and we’re looking forward to the Test.
“Everyone always talks about the French flair, but they are also a very physical side. Their basics are very good and they are good at the breakdown – we’ll have to be at the top of our game and compete there.”
Matfield, one of eight players who have kept their place from last week’s Millennium Stadium victory, said: “We will try and attack them at the lineout,” he continued. “But they are also one of the best lineout teams and they tend to do things differently to most others. Hopefully we can steal a few balls off them.”
