The Springboks are expecting an electric atmosphere in Paris on Sunday night when they tackle France in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup.

The winner will secure the last spot in the semi-finals and the pressure will not only be on the Springboks as the reigning champions, but on the French as the hosts as well.

The 82 000-seater Stade de France is sold out for the game and it promises to be a thrilling encounter between the two sides.

The Springbok Director of Rugby, Rassie Erasmus, said playing against the French in France is always a special experience and they expect more of the same on Sunday.

“It was a fantastic experience. I was sat with the reserves. We got the red card on Pieter-Steph Du Toit. It was actually one of the matches that we have lost when I have felt almost the most proud in the dressing room afterwards, with how players made plans.

“With all the respect to the French crowd, it was an unbelievable experience. You can't even hear what they sing sometimes or whistling or what they are doing but you can feel it's buzzing and they are enjoying it. There's pressure on us and there's pressure on their own players for expectations, the referee is under pressure with decisions. The crowds are really exciting.

“For us to get that red card, I know they also got one a little later. To be in that game until the last three or four minutes definitely helped us, well, I hope helps us for Sunday. We have a lot of players in the squad now who were involved then.

“I must say the best thing out of that, out of my whole rugby and coaching career it was one of the most intensive and delightful situations to be in and I'm pretty sure Sunday is going to be the same.”

Asked why the Springboks will only be naming their team on Friday morning when they normally do it on a Tuesday, Erasmus, explained that they are wanting to keep their options open, while also keeping everyone guessing.

“We have been mixing and matching for the last year and making sure almost in every position that we can have someone just as good, in some cases we are not even sure who is the best.

“Keeping our options open for a seven-one, a six-two or a five-three with both Handre Pollard and Manie Libbok being available. There is nobody with an injury, Lukhanyo Am is fully fit. We sort of have made up our mind but we're in-between at this stage.

“I think having everybody available and seeing what the French team look like, that may have an influence on us going seven-one or a six-two.”

Sunday’s quarter-final between France and the Springboks kicks off at 21:00.

Morgan Piek OFM Sport