Ex-France lock Willemse challenges Meafou to become ‘the 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, who weighs an imposing 145kg (319 pounds), 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 years 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.

Meafou has inherited his number five jersey for Les Bleus and is tipped to make a major impact by the man he replaced.

“The more experience he (Meafou) gets, I'd like to see him becoming the bully and becoming the classic enforcer on the field," Willemse told on Monday.

“I think he has everything he has to get there. I'm really excited to see what he can do in the future.”