Rugby
KweséESPN Staff 7y

France playing for pride against the Boks in dead rubber at Ellis Park

Rugby

The French have been playing up the pride factor as they prepare for the final Test of their South African tour against the Springboks in Johannesburg on Saturday, but coach Guy Noves wants to see progress in form too.

"We have nothing to lose in the sense that what we have to do is defend the honour of our jersey.

"But I also find that there has been tremendous progress from one Test to another and so that is important too," he told reporters on the eve of the tussle at Ellis Park, where ironically France have beaten South Africa in all four previous Test encounters.

"The first performance was so poor, but the second better and we will see if in the third test we continue our progression, even if the odds are against us. The progression is real, I know. After that, there is the commitment when we put on the [French] jersey. In terms of rugby, even if it is late June and it's more complicated at this time of the season, but I feel a real evolution.

"It has been questioned because we are taking risks that could be avoided like playing this tough tour right at the end of the season.

"But we must play stronger opponents. We have the ability to play at a higher level and be competitive. I remain confident for the future.

Asked why there were only three changes after conceding 37 points for a second successive test in Durban last Saturday, Noves added: "Three changes appear logical. We had two Tests to assess the minds of the guys and a third where we not have much to lose. We're trying to put a little bit of continuity into it."

Noves had been under some fire after a disappointing year for the French, who finish third at the Six Nations Championship.

But last week he got an endorsement to continue in his post from, Bernard Laporte, the president of the French Rugby Federation.

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