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Paris (AFP) – South Africa, which the women’s XV of France faces on Saturday (2:15 p.m. local time, 3:15 a.m. French) at Eden Park in Auckland to launch the World Cup, constitutes a “real test” for the Bleues, who remain on a frustrating defeat in Italy in a warm-up match.
South Africa, 11th nation in the world, that France, fourth in the World Rugby rankings, has already met four times (3 wins, one draw), including the last time on November 6 (success 46-3) at Vannes, is on paper well within reach of the Bleues, but beware of the trap match.
“We have to assume the status of favorites against these South Africans, admits the third line Marjorie Mayans, in the starting XV on Saturday. They are very aggressive, offer a very physical game. So, we will have to be present in the fight before to be able to offer our game”.
An observation shared by David Ortiz, assistant coach of the Blues in charge of touch and defense: “This match is a real test for us.”
Because the last time France played an international match, it showed a very poor figure: it was on September 9 in Biella, a bitter defeat (26-19) against Italy, the fifth nation in the world.
For the pillar Clara Joyeux, holder on Saturday, this match however had a positive consequence, serving as a “reminder shot: it is better that it took place before the World Cup than during”.
With the objective of gleaning the maximum number of points in view of the quarter-finals, whose posters will be made up on the basis of a ranking of the eight best nations at the end of the group stages, Les Bleues must therefore achieve “a huge performance” on Saturday, warned their coach-selector Thomas Darracq.
Because after South Africa, the teammates of Céline Ferer, appointed captain of the women’s XV for the first time, will face their best enemies, the “Red Roses”, on October 15, who had blocked their way to the Grand Slam in the Tournament. of the six nations at the end of April, before concluding with the Fijians (21st nation in the world).
They will therefore have to, underlines scrum half Pauline Bourdon, “rise in power: there is no question of taking a match lightly”.
Neither be overwhelmed by the stakes nor the atmosphere, even if for the neophyte Assia Khalfaoui, on the bench on Saturday, “playing the opening match, at Eden Park, it’s incredible, it sells dreams”. Aux Bleues to make us dream.
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