France begin their Autumn Nations Series campaign against Australia this weekend, but their star scrum-half Antoine Dupont already has one eye on the South Africa clash.
Les Bleus have been revitalised since the last Rugby World Cup and claimed their first Grand Slam since 2010 earlier this year.
They are ranked second in the world but are currently seen as favourites for their home World Cup in 2023.
The encounter with the Springboks, which takes place a week after Saturday’s game against the Wallabies, will certainly give a good indication as to where Fabien Galthie’s men stand.
France have not beaten the Boks since 2009 and Dupont knows that it will be a significant test of their capabilities, especially up front.
The physical challenge
“Since the start of Fabien’s time in charge, we’ve not played South Africa, and before then we haven’t been able to beat them for a long time,” he said.
“We know the level they have, they are the world champions and they have some very experienced players, really good players, and they know their rugby.
“They have more experience than us but we can’t wait to welcome them to Marseille. It will be a big match which will be very important for us.
“It’s been a while since I played them. At the time, I was certainly lacking experience and we probably lacked collective experience as a team.
“On the pitch, we were not as accurate and we didn’t have the same structure on the pitch.
“We struggled to produce our rugby and when we went over there (in 2017), it was the moment that they managed to put together their best rugby together and it was really tough.
“We know that against South Africa, you have to be ready for the physical challenge. That was the case a few years ago and it will be again in Marseille.”
Dupont, who was named as the 2021 World Rugby Player of the Year, will be crucial to their upcoming Autumn Nations Series campaign, but the 25-year-old still believes that he has room for improvement.
Maintaining consistency
“I think I can improve everywhere, we can always improve. I’ve been with the French team for a while now but I’ve only got 40 caps,” he added.
“When we play teams with players who have 100, 120 caps, you realise the path that is left for you to follow.
“So you have to keep winning titles and maintain the consistency over the seasons, that is the hardest thing.
“This status (being the face of French rugby) is not something that has happened overnight. I’ve been able to adapt to the demands on and off the pitch.
“I’m very demanding of myself and I know that if I don’t play as well, the supporters will let me know and I will be hard on myself too.
“My status has changed, I’ve been lucky enough to win titles with my club and with the France team. I’m playing in teams that are doing well and compete for titles every year.
“When that is the case, there are always individuals who emerge and I’ve been lucky enough to win some trophies myself.
“That’s part of the game, but rugby is all about the collective result so it’s more important to concentrate on that.”
For more information please visit the official website of the Autumn Nations Series
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