Rugby Players' Guide to France 2023: Springboks' new Schalk Brits recalls passion of the French

While there's a more than eminent chance of the Springboks having to face off against hosts France in a potential World Cup quarter-final later this year, Deon Fourie is relieved they don't have to do so in the rugby-mad city that is Lyon.

The 36-year-old veteran, considered a Schalk Brits-like trump card for the South Africans for the 2023 campaign, experienced firsthand the hostile environments of the French Top14 circuit, first as a five-year stalwart for Lyon and then with Grenoble.

In the latest edition of Rugby Players’ Guide to France, an exciting new series produced by BrightRock to gives SA rugby fans a slice of the French way of rugby and life ahead of the World Cup, Fourie tells host Dan Nichol that the atmosphere's are invariably intense.

The capacity [at various French stadiums] are about only 15 000 but the fans really filled it all the time. Most of those 15 000 stand next to the field against the barriers. There’s always a band with a drum and flutes, so the atmosphere sounds more like there’s 40 000 present than just 15 000," he says.

"It’s a great vibe. They love their rugby and are very passionate about it as well." 

Lyon's Stade de Gerland boasts a capacity of 35 000 - which invariably felt like more given the vibe - but even that that tally is dwarfed by nearby Parc Olympique Lyonnais, where almost 60 000 fans will converge to cheer on the host nation during the tournament.

"When I think back, my first game was against Toulouse in Lyon and [Samoan lock] Joe Tekori stood next to me before we ran on and he is this big guy," says Fourie.

"I immediately asked myself: 'Deon, what have you gotten yourself into?' When you run out, you immediately experienced the passion. They shout and give out some banter as