The Springboks stole our World Cup. France No 9 admitted to illegal win by the Boks
Scrumhalf Maxime Lucu says France are out for revenge against the Springboks in Paris on Saturday.
The teams meet at the Stade de France for the first time since the Boks’ epic 29-28 victory in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final, a match many French fans still feel was theirs for the taking.
“It was a massive defeat for us,” Lucu told reporters. “For us, the French people, it’s really stuck with us. It was our World Cup and they came and stole it off us. It was such a great game.”
France entered their home tournament in 2023 as one of the favourites, boasting a golden generation led by Antoine Dupont. But their dream was shattered by the Boks, who went on to defend their title with one-point wins over England and the All Blacks.
Lucu, who will start in Dupont’s absence, said the Boks deserve respect – not just for their physicality, but for the skill and speed that often get overlooked.
They’re much more than just brutes,” he said. “It’s true they’re unbelievably strong, but they’ve also got a lot of quick and nimble youngsters coming through. There’s talent everywhere; they’re a complete side.”
He added that the rematch offers the perfect stage to settle unfinished business.
“We can’t wait to take them on. They’re back-to-back world champions. Everything’s set up perfectly for a great game.”
Labit revealed that he and the French staff had spent countless hours dissecting the build-up, selection debates and tactical calls that went into that fateful night at the Stade de France – a match many in France still call le cauchemar de Saint-Denis (the nightmare of Saint-Denis).
While he avoided criticising referee Ben O’Keeffe, Labit confessed that watching the Springboks wrestle control in the final quarter had left him feeling powerless.
“At one point, I realised the match was slipping away from us,” he recalled, pausing as emotion overcame him once more.
That heartbreak has lingered across French rugby ever since — and as Les Bleus prepare to face the Boks again in Paris, it’s clear that revenge and redemption will be powerful motivators.
For the Springboks, who crushed Japan 61-7 at Wembley last week, Saturday’s Test is another chance to reinforce their dominance and remind France that mental steel, not flair, wins the big ones.
