Fly-half was not involved in heartbreaking quarter-final loss two years ago but is optimistic Les Bleus can enact revenge against South Africa – even without Antoine Dupont
R
omain Ntamack was not on the pitch when Les Bleus last met South Africa just over two years ago, having been denied a starring role at the home World Cup by a knee ligament injury the previous summer. The Toulouse fly-half was nevertheless as affected as anyone by the one-point quarter-final defeat by the Springboks, which brought France’s ambitions to an abrupt and sobering end.
“The trauma from that match went beyond the 23 players who were on the team sheet,” the 26-year-old said ahead of this weekend’s rematch, which kicks off the autumn campaign for both sides. “We’ve moved on since then, though, and we’re fully focused on Saturday’s match.”
After an underwhelming summer campaign in New Zealand which yielded three defeats in as many tests, France also have a more immediate point to prove. “We’re playing against the double world champions, so it’ll be a big challenge whatever happens,” Ntamack added. “Never mind the final result, we have to use this match to help us progress and gain experience as a team on our journey to the [2027] World Cup.”
