The French women got off to a perfect start to their autumn tour by enthralling South Africa at Vannes on Saturday.
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It’s not every day that a XV of France goes to a 46-3 in South Africa. However, this is what happened on Saturday in Vannes where the players of Annick Hayraud dominated with the head and shoulders a nation ranked 13th in the world. If they do not yet have the same reputation as their male counterparts, the “Springboks Women” are nevertheless in full development. But the latter took a violent stop after the demonstration of power of the Blue.
Yet deprived of a few executives, the XV of France, which lined up 3 novices on Saturday, showed impressive collective mastery in the face of opponents far too undisciplined to hope to compete. After 16 minutes of play, the 3rd row Emeline Gros had already planted her double (12th in 16th), thus concretizing the outrageous domination of her teammates in conquest.
VIDEO: Emeline Gros’s 2nd test
The rest was a long Stations of the Cross for South Africa, overwhelmed by the blue ardor. Within this joyous saraband, the experienced Safi N’Diaye guided the herd and set the pace by registering, too, two tries (39th, 43rd). The many changes that enamelled the second half somewhat seized the French machine but the latter nevertheless continued its demonstration, concluded by seven tests, including a last of any beauty, in the end.
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This demonstration is timely and will boost the confidence of these Blue before the enormous challenge that awaits them on November 13 and 20 against the All Blacks. With less than a year before the next World Cup, which will take place in New Zealand, the opportunity will be great to calibrate. We must not forget the promises of Vannes.