France name team for Springboks with one shock omission

Am I missing something or this is Cramont’s debut? No word about it in the article.

Good-looking French team.

We have gone with our aging centers DDA/Kreil, I would have preferred Esterhuizen/Moody!

Our front row is also newish combos, with the experienced Marks!

Looking fowards to this clash

So much for the so-called ‘C’ team that toured NZ! The ABs performances, particularly in the 3rd test, when it was C team vs C team, look considerably better in retrospect.

Rassie has undoubtedly already filed paperwork with World Rugby to complain about their inevitable loss this Saturday.

Bookies have SA as marginal favorite, but it’s going to be about detailed game plan, in-game adjustments, which players are on form, and the usual uncontrolllables (cards, injuries, reffing priorities, etc).

In particular the secrecy over French team prep suggests that they may have a sleeve full of tricks, and while the Boks general game plan is fairly predictable, the specifics of how they open up this particular defence over 80 minutes is where there is a key question mark.

The team lists don't disclose much about these plans, but the plans are what it is about.

This article is very badly written leading to the impression that Alldritt made bad comments about the atmosphere in the France squad and resulting in his non selection. This is totally incorrect as Alldritt declarations were plain and positive stating that he would totally back the team even if not selected.

Obviously Rassie knew the team as it leaked yesterday through the LNR mistake…

Rassie predicted what had already been reported for a while in the French media who were watching the trainings.

Alldritt is named as one of the reserves which is a slight surprise as La Rochelle are playing at Toulon. Alldritt’s form hasn’t been great so it’s not a shock omission and Guillard was fantastic at 8 in New Zealand. Also looking at last November, Galthie likes to experiment in this window a bit before the 6N so it’s no surprise seeing a few players get big opportunities like Erdocio and Montagne, who also did well in New Zealand.

The back row battle is going to be sensational.