France and South Africa collide in a mouthwatering meeting of international heavyweights two years on from a thrilling Rugby World Cup quarter-final.
The pair renew hostilities in Paris after contesting a sensational last-eight encounter at the Stade de France in 2023, with the Springboks pipping the hosts by a single point on their way to consecutive competition crowns. A game played with remarkable intensity and accuracy underlined the fine margins that decide top Tests at the elite level, and this clash between the Six Nations champions and back-to-back Rugby Championship winners could thrill again.
Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi earns his 100th cap in a settled side that beat Japan in their November opener last week, while this is the start of France’s Quilter Nations Series campaign. With Antoine Dupont still absent due to injury, veteran centre Gael Fickou leads Les Bleus — can they gain a measure of revenge against their 2023 conquerors?
Follow all of the latest from the Stade de France with our live blog below:
TRY! France 7-0 South Africa (Damian Penaud, 5 mins)
And build they do! Simply world-class from Thomas Ramos! He’s pushed back inside by Jesse Kriel and dances across the pitch. It seems like he’s going nowhere but chips over the top of the defence and it sits up for Damian Penaud to race on to and run in. Simply sublime!
Penaud becomes France’s all-time top try scorer, clearing the great Serge Blanco. Ramos adds the conversion and that’s some start by Les Bleus
France 0-0 South Africa, 3 mins
South Africa get the shunt on at the opening scrum before De Allende’s cross-field chip just bounces into touch. France will have the lineout and look to build
France 0-0 South Africa, 2 mins
The crowd are raucous in Paris! France run from deep and they immediately roar in delight.
Le Garrec with a long-distance backdoor flick in his own 22 to Bielle-Biarrey. He loves doing that!
Siya Kolisi belts out the anthem
Siya Kolisi absolutely belting out the South Africa national anthem with his usual gusto.
The skipper looks fired up on the occasion of his 100th cap.
France v South Africa
The wait is nearly over. We’re a little over five minutes from kick-off in Paris. This is going to be epic
France vs South Africa match officials
One rather feels Angus Gardner may be in for a tough evening, every top Test match now bringing significant pressure and scrutiny on the officials. The Australian is a calm, experienced character, though, who is a deserved appointee for a match of this magnitude.
Referee: Angus Gardner (Aus)
ARs: Nika Amashukeli (Geo) & Christophe Ridley (Eng)
TMO: Ian Tempest (Eng)
FPRO: Andrew Jackson (Eng)
100 up for Siya Kolisi
It is strange to think that there was plenty of criticism when Rassie Erasmus first installed Siya Kolisi as Springboks skipper, but two World Cup wins and the best part of a decade in the role have rather changed perceptions both about the flanker and more widely in South Africa. Kolisi is as important as ever to his side – with Erasmus praising his humility this week.
“He’s been on the tough side of being a South African and has grown to being a great leader in South Africa,” Erasmus said. “His humbleness is something that is a standout for me.”
Andre Esterhuizen continues back row development
Andre Esterhuizen has again been named as back row cover for South Africa this evening, with the centre-cum-flanker slotting in to the pack off the bench against Japan last week – and snaring himself a score, too. He’s clearly got the stature for the role, and the hybridisation of the sport is a fascinating trend to track – of course, Oscar Jegou spent much of France’s win over Ireland in the Six Nations in the centres due to injuries.
Tough test for new French props
There were a few raised eyebrows in France when it became clear that Fabien Galthie would be going with a prop pairing of Baptiste Erdocio and Regis Montagne, who each made their international debut on the summer tour of New Zealand. An encounter with the Springboks is a mighty task for the pair, no doubt, but the absence of Ox Nche does perhaps slightly weaken South Africa’s considerable scrum threat.
“They are the two best props at the moment,” Galthie said. “They are eager to show what they can do against the best. We shouldn’t question their selection. They have performed well at club level and in training with us. The challenge is enormous, but for the entire pack and the replacements.
As befitting a man with his name, Montagne is a giant, and his battle with Edinburgh’s Boan Venter could be crucial. Erdocio will grapple with Thomas du Toit on the opposite side.
