By Kevin Rademeyer, Sports Journalist.
Caption: France v South Africa_ Quarter Final – Rugby World Cup France 2023. Photo Credit: World Rugby.
Les Bleus are short of several first-choice players but remain a dangerous opponent for the Springboks, with Antoine Dupont’s move to flyhalf and a potentially decisive scrum battle shaping Friday’s Nations Championship showdown.
France have unfinished business at the Stade de France. The venue still carries the memory of their 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter final defeat, while last year’s 32 17 loss to the Springboks added another uncomfortable chapter to their recent history against South Africa.
Fabien Galthié’s side have not beaten the Boks since 2022 and have lost their last five meetings in Paris. Their previous home victory over South Africa came in 2005. Friday’s encounter therefore carries more than the usual significance of a major international Test.
France will be looking for a response, but they face the challenge with a depleted squad. Injuries have ruled out several prominent players, including Romain Ntamack, Matthieu Jalibert, Thomas Ramos, Antoine Hastoy, Emmanuel Meafou, Thibaud Flament, Anthony Jelonch and Paul Boudehent.
The absence of four players capable of filling the flyhalf position has forced Galthié into a significant reshuffle. His solution is to move captain Antoine Dupont to No 10, with Maxime Lucu starting at scrumhalf. “It’s the best option for us,” Galthié said when explaining the decision.
Dupont has experience in the position, although this will be his first Test start at flyhalf in 66 appearances. His running ability, tactical kicking and capacity to create opportunities make him a formidable threat wherever he plays.
Lucu, meanwhile, is an accomplished scrumhalf whose game management should provide a measure of stability.
The remainder of the backline is unchanged from the team that beat Fiji. Yoram Moefana partners Kalvin Gourgues in midfield, Louis Bielle Biarrey and Aaron Grandidier Nkangang start on the wings, while Theo Attissogbe is named at fullback.
Bielle Biarrey is particularly dangerous in space. His pace and ability to exploit gaps could become important if Dupont chooses to attack the Springboks through the wider channels rather than play a conventional territorial game.
There are two changes to the French starting pack. Grégory Alldritt returns at No 8 for his first Test appearance since last year, joining François Cros and Cameron Woki in the loose trio.
Woki moves from the back of the scrum to his more familiar role at blindside flank.
Julien Marchand returns at hooker, alongside Jean Baptiste Gros and Sipili Falatea, while Mickaël Guillard and Florian Verhaeghe continue in the second row.
The selection of Marchand is significant.
France struggled at scrum time against Fiji, and the Boks will see an opportunity to apply pressure in an area that has become a concern for Les Bleus.
South Africa have the personnel and technical strength to turn the set piece into a source of penalties and territorial advantage.
Galthié has also selected a six forwards, two backs replacement bench, clearly recognising the value of a powerful forward contingent against the Springboks.
Peato Mauvaka, Charles Ollivon, Tom Staniforth and Esteban Capilla provide considerable impact, while Rodrigue Neti and Régis Montagne offer front row cover.
Axel Desperes is in line to make his Test debut, with Emilien Gailleton completing the backline replacements.
France are understrength, but they are not without quality. Cros and Alldritt bring experience and physicality, Woki offers a lineout threat, and Dupont remains one of the most influential players in world rugby.
The Springboks, however, arrive with a settled side and considerable confidence after their 66 7 demolition of Italy in Turin. Rassie Erasmus has made only two changes to his matchday 23.
Wilco Louw moves into the starting team, while Cobus Reinach replaces Grant Williams on the bench. Thomas du Toit joins the replacement forwards.
The Boks have won nine of their last 10 matches against France, including last year’s 32 17 victory in Paris, when they played with 14 men for a significant period.
Erasmus has dismissed suggestions that the injuries in the French squad make South Africa clear favourites. He has his own absentees, including Frans Malherbe, RG Snyman, Eben Etzebeth, Kwagga Smith, André Esterhuizen, Handré Pollard and Cheslin Kolbe.
The Springbok coach has also explained why the short turnaround from Italy is less of a concern than it might appear. South Africa played earlier in the day, travelled directly to France and managed the minutes of several key players.
With four victories from four matches and 20 log points, the Boks are well placed in the Nations Championship. Their points difference of plus 140 gives them an advantage over New Zealand, who are also unbeaten but sit on plus 73.
A bonus point victory would strengthen South Africa’s position in the race for the final at Twickenham. But France, driven by the memory of previous defeats and led by a captain operating in an unfamiliar position, will be determined to make the occasion count.
The scrum may provide the clearest indication of which team controls the contest. If South Africa establish dominance there, France could spend a long evening defending. If Dupont finds room to influence the game at flyhalf, the hosts have enough attacking quality to make the Boks work for their victory.
Squads
Springboks – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nché.
Bench: 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.
France – 15 Théo Attissogbe, 14 Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, 13 Kalvin Gourgues, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Antoine Dupont (c), 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Grégory Alldritt, 7 Cameron Woki, 6 François Cros, 5 Mickaël Guillard, 4 Florian Verhaeghe, 3 Sipili Falatea, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros.
Bench: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Régis Montagne, 19 Charles Ollivon, 20 Tom Staniforth, 21 Esteban Capilla, 22 Axel Desperes, 23 Émilien Gailleton.