Rassie Erasmus started the mind games ahead of Sunday’s quarter-final by talking up France’s defence and maturity, before accusing Les Bleus of trying to con referees.

The Springboks face World Cup hosts France in the last eight in Paris on Sunday evening, with pressure on both sides.

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South Africa are trying to become the first team to win the World Cup four times, while defending their title as world champions for the first time in their history. Meanwhile, France are desperate to stay in their home tournament and cap an incredible rise under head coach Fabien Galthie.

During a press conference on Tuesday evening, Erasmus was in good form, starting out by talking up France’s defensive improvement under assistant coach Shaun Edwards

“I think if we want to achieve something great, it will never be in ideal circumstances,” Erasmus said. “We’re definitely up against it, not just on the defensive side. It’s the crowd and the improvement that France has shown in the last four years.

“What Fabien has done with the team, not just with Shaun, but with every department makes this one of our biggest challenges.

“He’s definitely brought a matureness to this French team. They don’t have high emotions and low emotions, it’s just a steady, brainy, intelligent team.”

Watch: Les Bleus on red alert for brutal Boks

However, Erasmus then moved on to point out that Les Bleus aren’t below trying to exaggerate contact to win penalties and get opposition players carded.

“The French do not play a reckless game where they are on the edge of being too physical with high hits,” Erasmus said.

“But what I think they do well is when they get hit close to the high [tackle] line, they really show that to the referee. They do simulate sometimes a little bit, which is clever, you know.

“Sometimes, when the referee comes, they go down or, you know, the TV [replays] doesn’t work at that specific time  I think they’re very clever at that … they’re very good at that.”

Erasmus was referring to the November 2022 clash between the two sides in Marseille, when the big screen in the stadium stopped working when referee Wayne Barnes wanted to review a call against France.