Springboks playing for 60 million South Africans

The Springboks progressed to the last eight at the World Cup, where they will clash with host nation and second-ranked France in the quarter-finals.

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SOUTH AFRICA V FRANCE IN LAST QUARTER-FINAL

While the Springboks lost one of their pool games (against Ireland), France advanced to the knockout stage unbeaten and are favoured to win their maiden Rugby World Cup title on home soil.

Going into what is likely to be their most challenging Test of the season to date, the Springboks will have to overcome the added pressure of the partisan French home crowd who will be willing their team on from start to finish.

SPRINGBOKS FEEL PRIVILEGED, NOT PRESSURISED

But No 8 Jasper Wiese has revealed that the pressure that comes with the daunting task of upending France is everything but a burden for the Springboks.

“We talk a lot about pressure, but it’s pressure that we see as a privilege. We are representing the whole squad and 60 million people in South Africa, so we want to give everything on the field.”

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The Springboks’ hard-running No 8 said the team had taken valuable lessons from their last encounter against France, which will serve as good preparation going into this match.

“It was an intense game, and we learned a few things from that match,” the Springboks man recalled.

“We know we need to front up and try to take their momentum away. They are big boys and if you let them run hard at you, they’ll do it throughout the match.”

“They have a very big pack, but we’ll be up for it. It’s always a nice challenge going up against a pack like that. It will be a big forward battle and even bigger collisions,” Wiese explained.

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