Jasper Wiese highlights where Springboks’ grudge match will be decided against ‘very emotional’ France
Jasper Wiese in action at a Springboks training session (inset) and during a Test.
Springboks number eight Jasper Wiese is preparing to face an emotionally charged France outfit in Paris on Saturday, but said the world champions are looking forward to the challenge.
The clash at the Stade France is one of the most eagerly anticipated of this year’s Autumn Nations Series, as this is the first time that these sides face off since the Boks clinched a nail-biting 29-28 victory during the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final in France.
Wiese believes the scars from that encounter are still visible in Paris and said the Springboks will have to be at their best to get the better of Fabien Galthie’s troops, who view their clash with the Boks as a grudge match.
‘It’s going to be a good challenge’
“I think they are still carrying a lot of hurt, and as you can see, they have come out and said they want to avenge that defeat, so it’s going to be a good challenge,” he commented.
“They experienced genuine hurt after the World Cup, so I think we can expect them to be very emotional and up for this game.
“If there is one game we have to be very up for, it is this game.”
Wiese is a vital cog in the Springboks’ side and is absence was keenly felt earlier this year when the world champions suffered losses to the Wallabies in Johannesburg and All Blacks in Auckland during the Rugby Championship after he received a four-match suspension for foul play during a clash with Italy during the mid-year internationals earlier this year.
He made his return to action in the second Test against the All Blacks in Wellington and helped the Boks return to winning ways in that clash – after they lost to their arch rivals in the corresponding fixture at Eden Park the previous week – and also impressed in subsequent victories against Argentina (twice) and Japan last weekend.
Wiese expects another tough encounter against France and believes the forward battle will be decisive in deciding the outcome.
“France have made a statement in the last couple of years with their physicality and how big they are, and I think Saturday will be the same again, with two big packs colliding,” he said.
‘We know what to expect from them’
“From a forward perspective, we know what to expect from them.
“They are big boys, and they are going to try and bully you, while they also have flair in their backline, so as a forward, it will be important to stop their momentum.
“Obviously, the backs have a different job to do.
“We analysed them well this week, and that’s definitely where it could come down to.”
When asked about his memories of that Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Paris, Wiese replied: “I wasn’t fortunate enough to play (in that match), but I sat in the stands, and I can remember that the crowd was very loud and France started very well.
“I think they scored in the third or fourth minute, but we stuck to our guns. We knew what the plan was, and our forwards tried to make a bigger impact.
“The guys who didn’t play sat next to the coaches and just tried to make plans and tell the players what we think they should do. There were massive moments in the game, which shifted the momentum for us, and in the end, we got through it.”
READ MORE: Lukhanyo Am’s future confirmed as Springboks teammate makes history with ‘huge honour’