“The players are on a mission for their country”: why South Africa dominates world rugby so much

The Springboks are at home in Paris. With five consecutive victories at the Stade de France since 2013. The last victory for the Blues dates back to 2022 but it took place at the Stade-Vélodrome in Marseille. And the reigning double world champions arrive in Saint-Denis, for a telluric shock (Friday 9:10 p.m. on TF1), sure of their strength. Impressive winning machine since the arrival of master tactician Rassie Erasmus before the 2019 World Cup in Japan, who had recovered a team in tatters (only 11 victories in its last 25 matches), disoriented after having denied its rugby culture based on excessive physical challenge.

“Today they have a complete rugby which allows them to play on several registers, driven by a strong identity on what rugby represents in South Africa and on the mission that the players have when they wear the jersey,” explains to Figaro Olivier Magne, former third row of the French XV with 89 caps. Long caricatured…