When France host Rugby World Cup holders South Africa in the Nations Championship on Friday, former Springboks under-20s captain Jeremy Ward will be watching on dreaming of one day playing for Les Bleus.
The 30-year-old moved to Parisians Stade Francais in 2022 and will become available for France on residency grounds next October, when the World Cup begins.
Coach Fabien Galthie called him up in late October to Les Bleus' training squad for this month's leg of the Nations Championship.
"I've got a little taste of it," Ward told AFP.
"It was about learning how things work, how they see the game, how they want to move forward.
"I've got a little appetite for more now, having experienced what I did throughout the whole of the week."
Since moving from the Durban-based Sharks to Stade Francais, Ward has been one of the most consistent midfielders in the French Top 14.
Despite his performances and two Top 14 semi-final appearances, he has missed out on a call-up from South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus, who this week wished the powerful midfielder well in his attempts to play for France, but admitted that he has never been on the Boks' radar.
"I haven't found it strange at all," Port Elizabeth-born Ward said of not being picked by Erasmus.
"My objective when I came to France was to be the best rugby player that I could be for Stade Francais, to help the team move forward, because we've got obviously goals in place."
There is no guarantee that the former Grey High School student will feature for Galthie at next year's World Cup, given that France boast a plethora of top-quality midfielders.
Yoram Moefana and Kalvin Gourgues started Saturday's rout of Fiji, Emilien Gailleton was on the bench while Gael Fickou was added to the wider set-up to prepare to face the Boks as he seeks the two more caps he needs to become a centurion.
In representing France, Ward would join a long list of South Africans to feature for the country, dating back to Eric Melville in 1990.
"It's probably the most competition throughout the entire squad," Ward said of the midfield.
"There's just a whole bunch of quality there.
"A lot of boys that play rugby at the highest level week in, week out."
Facing Moefana and Gourgues this Friday at the Stade de France will be Springbok pair Damian De Allende and Jessie Kriel, who helped South Africa to World Cup titles in 2019 and 2023.
"As a pair, I think the longevity, the consistency, the way that they've been able to maintain that for the period, they're probably the best centre pair that have worn the Springbok jersey," Ward said.
"I don't take that lightly because there's been some incredible pairs in the past, but they're about as good as they come."
De Allende and Kriel are part of an all-conquering side with South Africa, as France eye a first win over the Boks in Paris since 2005.
"I think it's tough to talk about weaknesses when you're speaking about any international rugby team, let alone the Springboks," Ward said.
"I think it's more about the French team being able to stick to the plan.
"I know that with the quality they have in the line-up and with the Stade de France stadium behind them, there'll be a lot riding on it.
"I'm fully confident that if they hit their straps, it'll be a really good entertaining game to watch."
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