The Bok-motivation is high!
The Bokke want this one!
The Bokke do not underestimate the French!

These 3 small statements says it all. We are in for an almighty scrap against France.

The French team aim for more consistency according to Captain and flanker Thierry Dusautoir.

Coach Marc Lievremont, who has used 68 players in his year-long tenure, named his 11th half-back pairing in Montpellier’s Francois Trinh-Duc and Julien Dupuy of Stade Francais, who gets the nod at scrum-half following his strong displays during the summer tour of Australia and New Zealand.

“The goal is to beat them a little more regularly and show that the France team can become a major rugby nation, not only thanks to its history but also to its performances.”

Scrum-half Dupuy said that while the Boks must be respected as world champions, France should not display fear at the thought of playing them.

On the other hand Peter de Villiers have a much more settled team. They know each other and they have beaten the best in the World this year. For them this game can complete the pack of cards. The Sringboks have a whole bunch of game breakers, certainly not a one man band.

If this is their attitude expect great games from Victor, Bismark, John Smit, Bakkies Botha and Heinrich Brüssow.

If the ball gets to Fourie du Preez , well he knows exactly what to do with it. Then you have other major players like Bryan Habana , Jaque Fourie and JP Peterson to do the necessary damage. Oh, never forget the sniper, Morne Steyn!

“France is one of those teams we respect and I expect them to come out with all guns blazing.” When asked whether he expected the intensity of Friday’s clash would match that of the high-octane series against the British and Irish Lions, de Villiers said he thought it might be yet “more severe”.

“We’re playing France in France and that’s another story. We know how passionate the people are here, we know how the players can get raw energy from the crowd. It will be really tough, but that’s exactly what Test rugby’s about.

“France are a very good side, especially the pack. They’re very physical and there are some hard-running backs,” he said.

De Villiers was in a bullish mood, saying: “I’ve had good experiences here with junior teams and also the Boks in 1997, when we last had our opportunity to beat France.

South Africa captain John Smit has downplayed any notion of being tired after a long season, insisting that his team were ready to maintain their high standards on their European tour.

“It’s been a good year,” said Smit, who will play prop when the Boks meet France at the Municipal Stadium here on Friday, before going on to play Italy and Ireland.

“These are the last three Tests of the year, and we’re playing three good teams.

“The challenge is great for us to come away from home and to be able to maintain standards.

“It’s not just another Test but it will determine how the year will end. We’re keen to maintain our form.”