Kurt-Lee: Boks to make France heavies puff

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Kurt-Lee Arendse is part of a deadly Springbok back three primed to put the French pack on a treadmill in Marseille on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.

Arendse will make his third Test start – this time in the No 11 jersey – in a rejigged back three that sees fullback Willie le Roux recalled to the starting lineup and Cheslin Kolbe shift to the right wing.

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The 26-year-old is anticipating a high-pressure game and expects France to pepper the Bok backs with long-range kicks.

“We have been preparing well for France. We know they are going to kick a lot. We have been focusing on receiving plenty of kicks,” said Arendse.

“Willie and Cheslin, with their experience, they have been helping me so much. We are prepared so we must just take it to France.”

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France are coming off a nailbiting win over Australia in a game where the Wallabies got plenty of joy from taking on France in the outside channels – something that Arendse has noted.

“We know that they don’t want to tire their forwards,” he said. “So we will try to look for the running option and try to exploit them on the outside.”

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Arendse added that the Springboks are expecting everything and anything when it comes to facing the current world number two.

“We will handle it. We also have a good kicking game plan,” he said. “Things might change on the day. We must be up for whatever France decides to bring. We have to be ready to adapt and handle it.”

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Photo: Twitter/@Springboks

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Dylan Jack