Xola Ntshinga visits France ahead of Springboks' Test in Marseilles
Jacaranda FM’s Morning Sports anchor, Xola Ntshinga, has been in France this week ahead of the weekend’s Test between the Springboks and Les Bleus, taking place in Marseilles.
Just 65kms away from Marseilles lies the southern coastal town of Toulon, where the reigning World Champions will be based during next year’s Rugby World Cup.
Air France, in conjunction with Explore France, invited a handful of sports journalists to experience the culture, sights, and sounds of Toulon, in a bid to introduce the region to South African travellers, who may be considering a trip to France for the tournament.
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Day one of the whirlwind visit kicked off with a tour of the rugby club, Toulon, which will serve as the home base for the Boks. The club is currently home to star winger Cheslin Kolbe. Recently, Eben Etzebeth represented the European giants, who in the past also welcomed a large number of Springbok greats. That list includes Joe van Niekerk, Lawrence Sephaka, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha, Duane Vermeulen, Bryan Habana, JP Pietersen, and Danie Rossouw, who became cult heroes in the city. And that’s just to name a few. The club is constructing a grandstand and public restaurant at its high-performance facility in anticipation of the sporting spectacular.
Toulon is not famous for only rugby, but Provence is renowned for its vineyards. A few kilometres outside of town, the visitors were warmly welcomed to Vignoble Kennel, owned by the Kennel family since the 1930s. The vineyard itself has a history stretching back to the middle ages and was founded by monks, with links to the Knights Templar. Their wines are not only organic, but no artificial additives, pesticides, or any unnatural products are allowed in the wine-making process. A tradition that remains to this day.
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Toulon is located between the mountain and the sea, in a narrow strip of land approximately 2kms wide, making for narrow streets and an intimate yet bustling community. This is highlighted by the communal atmosphere of its famous outdoor food market. And it goes without saying that gastronomy is and has always been an important part of life here.
Toulon is a Naval and University town, with the bulk of the French fleet harboured in the bay. Some of these warships and aircraft carriers are clearly visible from the top of Mount Faron, easily accessible via cable car.
The trip finished in France’s second-largest city, Marseilles, which on Saturday plays host to the Springboks versus the world’s second-ranked team, and could provide a window into what to expect when the World Cup rolls around in 2023.
Travelling by Air France is the quickest and most convenient way for South Africans to travel to France and its host cities for Rugby World Cup 2023.
Go Bokke!
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