PREVIEW: A few weeks ago, it was widely expected that Sunday’s clash between France and the Springbok Women would be a battle for the top seed in Pool D.
Furthermore, no one could have predicted that South Africa would be top of the group with 10 points, while France are sitting second with nine.
However, that is the beauty of sport – and rugby.
This Sunday, the Springbok Women will once again be out to cause an upset when they face a very strong France side at Franklin’s Gardens.
The winner will face the team that comes off second-best between New Zealand and Ireland at Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium – and vice versa.
The Springbok Women have been a phenomenon at the World Cup, bagging a 66-6 win over Brazil, followed by a huge 29-24 victory against Italy.
France have also been in impeccable form, recording wins over Italy (24-0) and Brazil (84-5).
Ranked fourth in the world, France head into the fixture as clear favourites.
They have recorded four wins over the Springbok Women – including a 40-5 win at the previous World Cup held in New Zealand.
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“They’re top five, always,” Springbok head coach Swys de Bruin told reporters in Northampton.
“It’s an honour for us to play against them, and it’s nice to be the underdog.”
The two sides are certainly familiar with each other.
In April, the Springbok Women spent a week at the French national centre in Marcoussis, sharing the training field with France and participating in joint sessions and match simulations.
The outing has given De Bruin and his coaching team some valuable insight into Les Bleues.
“They’ve got a very good scrum, and we’ve got a good scrum,” De Bruin said, adding:
“So, that’ll be a good contest.
“I’m challenging Coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt whenever I walk past her.
“They’ve got a good line-out. They’ve got a few tall, timber girls there – lanky ones. So, their line-out is good, and you must be very sharp.
“Franzel September worked out all the plans for them.
“We practised against them in Marcoussis, and it was very good.
“We really thought there was a massive gap because they were ranked fourth and we were ranked 12th or 13th at the time.
“However, I was talking to someone on the way back and thought – we’re closer to them than we think. So, that’s a belief I have.
“We still respect them – and they know they are good. Their programme in France is very professional.
“France really puts a lot into women’s sport – and that’s our next aim: to reach that professional level.
“But as I said – France is a very good team.”
France have made some bold changes in an effort to combat the Springboks’ bruising force.
Co-head coaches Gaëlle Mignot and David Ortiz have made six changes to the starting XV and opted for a 6-2 split on the bench.
Manae Feleu and Madoussou Fall Raclot return to the second row, with Brazil match starters Hina Ikahehegi and Taïna Maka dropping to the bench. Berthoumieu comes in at six for Séraphine Okemba, and Charlotte Escudero becomes the third France player to wear the number eight shirt in as many matches.
Loosehead prop Yllana Brosseau, who had to withdraw shortly before last Sunday’s match, has regained her place at loosehead, alongside hooker Rose Bernadou and tighthead Annaëlle Deshaye.
Joanna Grisez is the only change among the backs from last weekend’s try-fest, coming in for Kelly Arbey for the Pool D decider despite picking up a minor thigh injury in training. Co-captain Marine Ménager has switched wings to accommodate the Stade Bordelais flyer.
Pauline Bourdon Sansus and her Toulouse teammate Lina Queyroi continue their halfback partnership. Gabrielle Vernier and Nassira Konde are reunited in midfield, while Emilie Boulard retains the number 15 jersey.
“We opted for a 6-2 bench split because against South Africa, reinforcing the pack is crucial,” coach Gaëlle Mignot said, adding: “That didn’t leave many spots among the replacements, so we had to be strategic.
“Marine [Ménager] can cover centre, and Morgane [Bourgeois] can slot into multiple backline positions.”
France co-captain Manae Feleu revealed the team is not taking the match lightly.
“When you see how South Africa played against Italy… we already knew they were solid — we faced them during the Six Nations this year.
“Physically, they’ve really developed, and their rugby has come a long way since the last times we played them. We knew it would be a tough game for Italy.
“And for us, we’re well aware that South Africa are a powerful side with real quality – including strategically.”
She revealed their plan is to play an expansive brand of rugby and force the Boks to run.
“We’re a slightly lighter team, so we’ll need to move a lot and hold on over the long haul.
We know the first 20 to 40 minutes will be intense. We’ll have to be brave defensively – in the collisions and in attack.
We absolutely can’t let up – the match lasts 80 minutes. We need to keep moving and shift them around to open up our game.”
Prediction:
Rugby365: This is very difficult to predict – because my heart is backing South Africa.
However, I have to go with my head. France by four points.
Teams:
France: 15 Emilie Boulard, 14 Joanna Grisez, 13 Nassira Konde, 12 Gaby Vernier, 11 Marine Ménager, 10 Lina Queyroi, 9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus, 8 Charlotte Escudero, 7 Lea Champon, 6 Axelle Berthoumieu, 5 Madoussou Fall Raclot, 3 Rose Bernadou, 2 Agathe Gerin, 1 Yllana Brosseau
Replacements: 16 Elisa Riffonneau, 17 Annaëlle Deshaye, 18 Assia Khalfaoui, 19 Hina Ikahehegi, 20 Taïna Maka, 21 Séraphine Okemba, 22 Alexandra Chambon, 23 Morgane Bourgeois
South Africa: 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 13 Eloise Webb, 12 Chumisa Qawe, 11 Maceala Samboya, 10 Mary Zulu, 9 Nadine Roos, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Catha Jacobs, 6 Lerato Makua, 5 Anathi Qolo, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Babalwa Latsha (captain), 2 Micke Gunter, 1 Yonela Ngxingolo.
Replacements: 16 Luchell Hanekom, 17 Xoliswa Khuzwayo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Faith Tshauke, 21 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 22 Tayla Kinsey, 23 Aphiwe Ngwevu.
Date: Sunday, September 7
Venue: Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton
Kick-off: 16.45 (17.45 SAST; 17.45 CEST; 14.45 GMT)
Referee: Clara Munarini (Italy)
Assistant referees: Lauren Jenner (Italy), Jess Ling (Australia)
TMO: Rachel Horton (Australia)