[RWC2023 QF4] France vs South Africa (15/10/2023)

[Horacito]

Head says France. Heart says us. 50/50 calls won't go our way. Borderline yellow? A definite yellow if it's us, and a pass if it's France. Lineouts and scrums under scrutiny against us. More lenient when they do it. Not saying it's intentional by refs, but more a product of the occasion (home crowd pressure, the noise...).

We played against the world in 2019 when we played Japan, but in all honesty they were never on our level. This is different.

This French team is a team of stars that are all 24 years old. They will win the WC in 2027, guaranteed. But they are going up against a well oiled machine that has been there and done that, in us (SA).

I hope we can do this, and I know we can, I just don't know if we will...

This, I think you're absolutely right.
Starting Libbock means that most of the scoring will happen in the first half, then switch to Pollard for the kicking game in the second half or so.
I honestly think the french are just young, they haven't failed much yet, they don't owe themselves anything and this games usually depend on psychology and other factors just as much as they depend on rugby.
That being said, I do truly love how the french play, they play gorgeous rugby.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

okay JV is done, two hours til the Varsity

 

[Bada-Bing!]

ITV1 looks like it's blown up.

 

[Stade Rochelais]

@Whore of Shame It's our turn, we will suffer but we will go to the semi-final

 

[Superalexmarket]

Any link to see this match please

 

[saulan]

Ugh, I've gotten way too invested this World Cup. Stress levels are at a new high.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Im playing a drinking game tonight. I have to take a shot every time Libbok gets a goal. How drunk will I get?

 

[IT157]

Im playing a drinking game tonight. I have to take a shot every time Libbok gets a goal. How drunk will I get?

Good time to start being teetotal

 

[IT157]

Got goosebumps for this one. Should be a good one!

 

[IT157]

Will be nice not to see a haka/war dance to start this game

 

[IT157]

Hmm, some shouting during the minute silence. But not too much

 

[Ferrari333SP]

Allez Les Bleus!

 

[Grizwald]

I still think it's bonkers SA don't have a back up specialist hooker on the bench.

 

[ncurd]

Dupont being Dupont within 60 seconds.

 

[Which Tyler]

Allez Les Bleus!

Ditto.

Dupont wearing a scrum cap, not a face shield- really not sure what that's supposed to achieve for him, beyond a false sense of security

 

[Grizwald]

French winger looks about 12

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

he batted it

 

[Horacito]

this ref looks like doug demuro and I just noticed

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Well I guess we already know what kind of tempo France want to play this at.

 

[Ferrari333SP]

Oooofff, these tackles and rucks are massive