'Meafou must become a bully'

Former France lock Paul Willemse says his successor at international level Emmanuel Meafou can become “the bully” the team needs as Les Bleus prepare to host South Africa in the Autumn Nations Series on Saturday.

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The 27-year-old Meafou (above), who weighs 145kg, is set to make his 10th Test appearance in this weekend’s highly anticipated rerun of the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal in Paris.

The highly physical Springboks return to the Stade de France for the first time since going on to lift the Webb Ellis trophy on a fourth occasion two year's ago.

Pretoria-born Willemse made the bruising, ball-carrying role his own for France during a five-year Test career before having to retire aged just 32 in September due to concussion.