Pieter ready for ultimate test

Pieter de Villiers has welcomed Saturday night’s quarter-final against New Zealand as a true test of France’s World Cup credentials.

Les Bleus have landed the last-eight showdown they dreaded most – against the favourites at the Millennium Stadium where they will play with minimal travelling support.

But de Villiers has embraced a challenge he claims befits a team that holds ambitions of winning the tournament.

“When we realised we would be playing a game in Cardiff, even though we were hosting the World Cup, it felt odd,” he said.

“But as soon as we arrived in Cardiff, we were in match mode and ready for action.

“If you want to be in the World Cup, you have to beat any team, anywhere.

“It’s not as supporter-friendly this way but a World Cup is about more than that.

“You have to be strong to win the tournament and that’s where our focus should lie.”

De Villiers admits France have referenced the stunning 43-31 semi-final triumph over New Zealand during the 1999 World Cup for encouragement tonight.

The Stade Francais front row made a substitute appearance in that dramatic match and he is relishing the underdogs role once again.

“Obviously, 1999 is an inspiration for us. We’re not the favourites and we’re against the best team in the world, so it’s up to us to stay focused,” he said.

“The beauty of sport is that anything is possible. In the past, it’s been better for France to be the underdogs. To rise to the occasion has been possible for us.

“That’s the beauty of it – anything is possible, especially in rugby.”

Winger Cedric Heymans has tackled the mounting the pressure heading into the biggest match of his career by sleeping in each day.

“We are enjoying this challenge because it’s a massive occasion. On top of that, our days is not so long – I’ve been getting up at 10:30,” said the Toulouse flyer.

“We learned our lessons concerning stress from our first match when we lost to Argentina. Now there is just enjoyment.

“If we enjoy ourselves then we are on the right track. That has been the case for our last three matches.”