Springbok full-back Damian Willemse says the defending world champions ‘have made plans’ to nullify and counter France’s kicking game in the world cup quarter-final tonight.

The stage is set for a cracker of a quarter-final between the Webb Ellis Cup holders, the Boks, and Fabien Galthie’s charges at a packed Stade de France in Paris.

The French topped Pool A to book their spot in the last eight while South Africa finished second in Pool B behind top-ranked Ireland. The recent tussle between the South Africans and France saw Les Bleus triumph 30-26 in Marseille last November.

“We know they prefer to kick the ball long and we have made plans to counter that,” Willemse said.

“I think we will have to analyse how the game goes and see how we find spaces. We are aware of it, we have made some plans around their kicking game, their back three and how we nullify that.

“I think there are a few opportunities where we can take them on.”

With France often trying to out-kick their opponents, Willemse is expecting to see plenty of the ball, but said the Boks have to be wise in how they use it.

“Having more possession means we will need to get out of our half a bit more. That is why we have a few plans and we are going to implement them.

“We have plans but they might bring something else, a different tactic on the day. We have prepped on a certain gameplan and we’ll assist what they are trying to do in the first five to 10 minutes and then if there is something they change we [will adapt].”