By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
Caption: France v South Africa_ Quarter Final – Rugby World Cup France 2023. Photo Credit: World Rugby.
France have revenge on their minds and Antoine Dupont in an unfamiliar starting role, but the Springboks arrive at the Stade de France with momentum, a settled squad and the Nations Championship final firmly in their sights.
The Springboks know the atmosphere that awaits them at the Stade de France. They also know how quickly it can turn against a visiting team.
France have lost their last five matches against South Africa in Paris, including the 29 28 Rugby World Cup quarter final in 2023 and last year’s 32 17 defeat.
But Siya Kolisi has dismissed the suggestion that those results give the world champions a psychological advantage when the teams meet again on Friday.
“What happened last year is gone,” the Springbok captain said. “We’ve changed as a group, and we’ve changed a bit in the way we play, so we don’t get stuck on things that have happened before.”
“This is a new game, a new opportunity. It’s not the same as what we played in 2023 and in last year’s game.”
France will see it that way too. The memory of their World Cup elimination remains powerful, and their recent record against the Boks offers little comfort. They have not beaten South Africa since 2022 and have not won against them in Paris since 2005.
Yet Fabien Galthié’s side will take the field with a significant injury list. Romain Ntamack, Matthieu Jalibert, Thomas Ramos and Antoine Hastoy are all unavailable, leaving France without their leading flyhalf options. Emmanuel Meafou, Thibaud Flament, Anthony Jelonch and Paul Boudehent are also sidelined.
Galthié’s answer has been to move captain Antoine Dupont from scrumhalf to flyhalf, with Maxime Lucu starting at No 9. It is an unexpected selection that could make this one of the most intriguing tactical contests of the autumn.
Dupont has the rugby intelligence, running threat, defensive strength and kicking ability to influence a game from almost any position. This will be his first Test start at flyhalf in 66 appearances, but the role is not entirely unfamiliar. He has regularly moved into first receiver for France and Toulouse.
Galthié believes the combination with Lucu offers the best balance. “We have two icons, one playing in Bordeaux and the other in Toulouse, whom we have wanted to bring together to lead this French team,” he said.
Lucu is an accomplished scrumhalf with a strong tactical kicking game and the ability to manage territory. Dupont, meanwhile, gives France a more physical and creative presence at first receiver than they might have had with a conventional replacement flyhalf.
The Boks had anticipated that France might choose a more physical solution in the No 10 channel. Rassie Erasmus suggested they would try to move South Africa around and establish dominance through a direct, territorial approach.
Dupont’s selection changes the picture. The Springboks must now prepare for a player capable of attacking space, creating opportunities and bringing France’s dangerous outside backs into the game.
“I’ve played against them in different contexts, but recently they have had a lot of bulk and a very clear and effective strategy,” Dupont said.
“We have to pull out the right match at the right time to get out of this spiral,” said Dupont, who will wear the unfamiliar No 10 jersey on Friday because of a spate of injuries to flyhalves.
He accepts the Springboks start as favourites, but insists his team can beat anyone. “We will have to surprise ourselves and them. We’re not in the most favourable situation but we have nothing to lose,” Dupont said of France’s injury problems.
Louis Bielle Biarrey is a particular threat. His pace and ability to find space make him an effective attacking outlet, while Yoram Moefana and Kalvin Gourgues provide power in the centres. Aaron Grandidier Nkangang starts on the other wing, with Theo Attissogbe at fullback.
France have also made changes to their pack. Julien Marchand returns at hooker, while Grégory Alldritt is back at No 8 for his first Test appearance since last year. François Cros and Cameron Woki complete the loose trio, with Mickaël Guillard and Florian Verhaeghe in the second row.
The recall of Marchand is significant after France struggled at scrum time against Fiji. South Africa will regard the set piece as an opportunity to impose themselves, particularly after scoring five maul tries in their 66- 7 demolition of Italy in Turin.
Cros knows what is required. “We’ll have to match the Springboks physically, because that’s what they build their wins on,” the French flanker said. “If we’re not up to it there, the match will be very complicated.”
He added: “It’s going to hurt, that’s for sure. But when you love combat sports, you love taking on the best.”
That physical contest will be central to South Africa’s plans. The Springboks have retained the bulk of the side that overwhelmed Italy, with Wilco Louw the notable change in the starting lineup. Cobus Reinach replaces Grant Williams on the bench, while Thomas du Toit also comes into the matchday 23.
There are seven players in the Bok 23 who were not involved in last year’s meeting with France.
Ethan Hooker, Morné van den Berg and Ox Nché are among the new starters, while Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Franco Mostert, Cameron Hanekom and Paul de Villiers provide fresh options among the replacements.
The selection reflects Erasmus’s preference for continuity after a performance in which South Africa scored nine tries. The Boks have won all four of their Nations Championship matches, collecting 20 log points and building a points difference of plus 140. New Zealand are also unbeaten, but sit on plus 73.
With France followed by Ireland, South Africa are well placed to reach the inaugural final at Twickenham. A bonus point victory in Paris would strengthen their position, although Erasmus has been careful not to underestimate the challenge.
He has also pointed out that the Springboks have their own significant absentees, including Frans Malherbe, RG Snyman, Eben Etzebeth, Kwagga Smith, André Esterhuizen, Handré Pollard and Cheslin Kolbe. He does not accept that France’s injury list makes South Africa automatic favourites.
The Boks have managed their workload carefully. Several players were withdrawn during the Italy match, and Erasmus believes the early kick-off in Turin followed by the direct trip to France has given his squad sufficient recovery time.
Kolisi, meanwhile, has urged the younger members of the squad to embrace the occasion. Seven players in the 23 are new to the contest against France, and the captain knows the Stade de France can be an intimidating place.
“It’s like a theatre,” he said. “The crowd gets really passionate. The way the French do the game-day experience is honestly one of the best I’ve ever seen, so it’s something to feel and enjoy beforehand.
“But once the whistle goes, then it’s game time. It’s just you and the guy opposite you, and that’s all that matters.”
For Kolisi, the work extends beyond Friday night. The Springboks’ senior players have a responsibility to pass on their knowledge to the next generation, particularly with the 2027 Rugby World Cup approaching.
“There will come a time when a lot of us are not here, but while we’re here we are able to give to the players even if they’re not playing,” he said. “If I can make Paul de Villiers’ life easier for the game, then I’ll do it.”
He added that the team’s success depended on leaving a proper legacy rather than simply enjoying its current achievements.
That long-term thinking sits alongside an immediate opportunity. South Africa are chasing another major title, while France are looking to end a painful run against the world champions.
The tactical contest between Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Dupont will attract plenty of attention, but neither playmaker will operate effectively without a platform. The Springbok forwards will look to test France at scrum time and through the maul. The hosts will need to withstand that pressure before their backline can exploit the space Dupont is capable of creating.
The Stade de France will be loud, France will be desperate and the Boks will be expected to deliver. History provides the backdrop, but Friday’s result will be decided by what happens in the next contest, not the last one.
Date: Friday, 13 November
Venue: Stade de France
Kick-off: 10:10pm
Fullview Prediction: Springboks by 5 points.
Teams:
France: 15 Théo Attissogbe, 14 Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, 13 Kalvin Gourgues, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Antoine Dupont (captain), 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Cameron Woki, 6 François Cros, 5 Mickaël Guillard, 4 Florian Verhaeghe, 3 Sipili Falatea, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros.
Reserves: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Régis Montagne, 19 Charles Ollivon, 20 Tom Staniforth, 21 Esteban Capilla, 22 Axel Desperes, 23 Emilien Gailleton.
South Africa: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nché.
Reserves: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Cameron Hanekom, 21 Paul de Villiers, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok.