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Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu missed several kicks at goal but was man of the match after scoring South Africa’s fourth try - Getty Images/David Rogers
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What is it about this fixture and controversy? Two years since these sides last met in one of the most scintillating World Cup matches of all time, from which South Africa emerged victorious on their journey to global domination, the spotlight once again turned towards the officials.
The Springboks, remarkably, triumphed once again on Saturday night but, just as referee Ben O’Keeffe had captured the headlines for his handling of that quarter-final, the Australian Angus Gardner followed suit in Saint-Denis. What made this Springboks’ victory all the more sweeter was that, in the 39th minute, Gardner brandished a seldom-seen, straight-red card to South African lock Lood de Jager.
The Springboks, Rugby Championship victors, still managed to pull themselves together and demolish France, Six Nations champions, on their own patch, playing a half with only 14 players – and Les Bleus led by a point at the interval.
On the cusp of half-time, De Jager clobbered Thomas Ramos in the head with a tucked shoulder. It was ugly, reckless and needless but the reason for the controversy was that Ramos was slipping to the ground. Gardner spent an age consulting with his officials, however, and the outcome was that the South African’s arm being tucked behind him was enough for the judgment of egregious foul play. Harsh? Perhaps, but when you charge into contact like that, with force, you always run the risk.
But what is it about this fixture and thrills, too? The last four meetings between the sides have been separated by four points or fewer and here we had another nail-biter, with just one point in it, until South Africa took the lead for the first time with a little over 15 minutes to play. With Louis Bielle-Biarrey in the sin bin for a deliberate knock-on, the Springboks smelt blood – and feasted.
Andre Esterhuizen crossed from a driving maul for the decisive score but two more tries would come.
Firstly, Grant Williams cheekily dummied his way over before Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu – the fly-half in supreme form scoring 17 of his side’s 32 points, – put the cherry on the South African cake. Alongside the flash of Feinberg-Mngomezulu, the graft of Malcolm Marx and Jasper Wiese was stupendous.
France regularly looked like their threatening selves but in the second half Les Bleus were taught a lesson in ruthlessness. The hosts let sundry opportunities slip and managed just a solitary three points from the boot of Ramos after half-time, a player to the good. France have not beaten South Africa at the Stade de France for 20 years and nothing that Les Bleus mustered in the second half on Saturday night presented a compelling case for that record to change. By the end, France looked listless and aimless, the result a foregone conclusion, leaving Fabien Galthié with plenty to ponder ahead of further Tests against Fiji and Australia.
On paper, it was the clash of this year’s autumn fixtures and certainly in terms of intensity and physicality the match lived up to its billing. Both sides were missing key men – Peato Mauvaka, Antoine Dupont and Ox Nche to name a few – but there was still enough quality among the two squads to label this an unofficial north-versus-south showdown, two years out from the next World Cup. Ultimately, on the occasion of Siya Kolisi’s 100th cap, the south won; South Africa did their captain proud. With the eyes of the rugby world on them, the Springboks had comfortably enough, laying down the gauntlet.
At the time of De Jager’s red, however, there had barely been anything between the two sides. Penaud scored the first of his brace early on thanks to the fleetness of thought and foot of Ramos. The French full-back switched play to the blindside and chipped over exquisitely for Penaud to chase and cross unopposed.
Two long-range penalties from Feinberg-Mngomezulu cut France’s lead, before Cobus Reinach spotted some dawdling French forwards on the blindside, sniped through a gap, chipped over Penaud and crossed to tighten the scores.
Then came De Jager’s blunder. South Africa, with 14 players, clung on, before motoring. A Ramos penalty nudged Les Bleus further ahead but Bielle-Biarrey’s sin-binning proved to be the pendulum on which the match’s momentum would swing. Esterhuizen, Williams and Feinberg-Mngomezulu all crossed in a ferocious last 15 minutes to put the result, another famous Springboks victory, beyond doubt and offer France considerable food for thought
Match details
Scoring sequence: 5-0 Penaud try, 7-0 Ramos con, 7-3 Feinberg-Mngomezulu pen, 7-6 Feinberg-Mngomezulu pen, 12-6 Penaud try, 14-6 Ramos con, 14-11 Reinach try, 14-13 Feinberg-Mngomezulu con, 17-13 Ramos pen, 17-18 Andre Esterhuizen try, 17-23 Williams try, 17-25 Feinberg-Mngomezulu con, 17-30 Feinberg-Mngomezulu try, 17-32 Feinberg-Mngomezulu con.
France: T Ramos; D Penaud, P-L Barassi, G Fickou (c, Depoortère 59), L Double-barrelled; R Ntamack, N le Garrec (Lucu 59); B Erdocio (Gros 47), J Marchand (Cramont 47), R Montagne (Aldegheri 47), T Flament, E Meafou (Taofifenua 47), A Jelonch, P Boudehent (Auradou 71), M Guillard (Jegou 47).
South Africa: D Willemse (Libbok 56); C Kolbe, J Kriel, D de Allende (Esterhuizen 48), K-L Arendse; S Feinberg-Mngomezulu, C Reinach (Williams 59); B Venter (Steenekamp 31), M Marx (Grobbelaar 77), T Du Toit (Louw 48), E Etzebeth (Snyman 48), L de Jager (Nortje 10, De Jager 22), S Kolisi (c, Nortje 41), P-S du Toit, J Wiese.
10:25pm
South Africa celebrate the great Kolisi
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Joy for the Boks on Siya Kolisi’s big day - Anne-Christine Poujoulat/Getty Images
10:22pm
South Africa’s newest centurion Siya Kolisi
10:13pm
Post-match thoughts of man of the match Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
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Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu was named man of the match - David Rogers/Getty Images
10:10pm
France’s autumn schedule
Today: France 17 South Africa 32
November 15: France vs Fiji
November 22: France vs Australia
10:09pm
South Africa’s autumn schedule
Today: France 17 South Africa 32
November 15: Italy vs South Africa
November 22: Ireland vs South Africa
November 29: Wales vs South Africa
10:08pm
Today’s results
Ireland 41 Japan 10
Scotland 17 New Zealand 25
England 38 Fiji 18
Italy 26 Australia 19
France 17 South Africa 32
10:05pm
Full time
There is the final whistle and South Africa have delivered a stunning second-half performance. They were down a man for the whole of the second half but win by 15 points, proving why they are back-to-back world champions. In the last two months I have seen South Africa demolish New Zealand in Wellington and then deliver what they have done today. Stunning!
France were after revenge from their defeat in this stadium to South Africa in the World Cup quarter-finals two years ago but they have been beaten by an incredible side.
10:00pm
TRY! Feinberg-Mngomezulu seals it for the Springboks
This side is one hell of a side. They are in attack inside the French 22 and Feinberg-Mngomezulu comes sweeping around the outside to score down the right. The TMO is taking a look at a clear-out by PS du Toit on Ntamack in the build-up but there does not seem to be too much in that. This try should stand. Referee Angus Gardner seems fine with it and the try is going to stand. The conversion is successful.
09:58pm
75 mins: France 17 South Africa 25
South Africa win yet another scrum penalty tonight, inside the French half, and it should be a fairly simple three points. However, they are going to the corner.
09:57pm
74 mins: France 17 South Africa 25
France are back up to 15 men as Bielle-Biarrey returns but that sin-bin period has been very costly for the hosts. The damage has been done.
09:53pm
TRY! Williams darts his way over
This has been one hell of a second-half performance from the Springboks. France do enough to stop the maul and Williams is forced to take it out. He dummies a pass and spots a gap, using his electric pace to sprint through it and score under the posts. Feinberg-Mngomezulu adds the easy conversion and South Africa lead by eight with eight minutes left.
09:51pm
69 mins: France 17 South Africa 18
Another penalty goes South Africa’s way as Cramont is penalised for side entry at the maul.
Another five-metre lineout incoming for the Springboks and the French need to be careful with their discipline or a yellow card will come their way.
09:49pm
68 mins: France 17 South Africa 18
The momentum has shifted in South Africa’s favour as they win another penalty, this time just outside the French 22. Libbok is going to pump it into the corner. It is a superb kick and they will have a lineout five metres from the French line.
Siya Kolisi shouts to his teammates from the sidelines that France look tired.
09:47pm
67 mins: France 17 South Africa 18
With that missed conversion from Feinberg-Mngomezulu, South Africa have now missed eight points from the tee. With Libbok on, will they consider changing kickers?
09:45pm
TRY! South Africa roll over to take the lead
This is why they are back-to-back world champions! They set the maul and there is no stopping it rolling its way over the line to give South Africa the lead. Esterhuizen, a centre on as a back-row, is the man credited with the try. Feinberg-Mngomezulu misses the conversion but the Springboks still lead by one.
09:42pm
64 mins: France 17 South Africa 13
Bielle-Biarrey had no realistic chance at catching that and he will be going to the bin. They also need to look to see if it would have been a penalty try. It appears that it would have led to a two-on-one on the outside but the officials are just sticking to a yellow card. That feels a little lenient on France for it just to be a yellow. For 10 of the last 17 minutes it will be 14 vs 14.
Libbok puts it into the corner...
09:42pm
63 mins: France 17 South Africa 13
South Africa have a penalty advantage inches short of the line. They then ship it wide into the hands of the backs and it did look like a deliberate knock-on from Bielle-Biarrey. Referee Angus Gardner initially believes it was just a knock-on but they need to have another look at that.
The TMO is going to check...
09:40pm
62 mins: France 17 South Africa 13
South Africa come down the blindside from the front of the lineout and Marx is brought down just over five metres short of the French line. The Springboks are then awarded a penalty for a French offside. The penalty is just five metres out so do the Springboks go for goal or to the corner? They go for the latter.
09:38pm
60 mins: France 17 South Africa 13
South Africa win a penalty after a high tackle and Libbok kicks into the French 22.
09:37pm
59 mins: France 17 South Africa 13
Two more changes for France, both in the backs, as Lucu and Depoortere replace Le Garrec and Fickou.
South Africa change scrum-halves as Williams replaces Reinach, who is covered in so much green paint that he looks like The Incredible Hulk.
09:36pm
PENALTY FRANCE!
Ramos makes no mistake from a fairly simple kick and extends France’s lead to four.
09:36pm
58 mins: France 14 South Africa 13
Libbok, only just on the pitch, is charged down and Feinberg-Mngomezulu has to dive on the loose ball. However, The French are quick over the ball and win a penalty at the breakdown not far outside the South Africa 22.
The hosts point to the posts...
09:34pm
56 mins: France 14 South Africa 13
A change in the South Africa backline as Libbok replaces Willemse.
09:30pm
53 mins: France 14 South Africa 13
On a French feed, South Africa win a scrum penalty inside their own half, which is exactly what they need to stay in this game down a man. They are not back-to-back world champions for no reason.
09:27pm
50 mins: France 14 South Africa 13
With the man advantage, it is all France right now, making plenty of entries into the South Africa 22. The Springbok defence stands up though and pushes the French back. France have a one-point and one-man advantage but South Africa are still in this game. Siya Kolisi gives his side some encouragement from the bench.
09:25pm
48 mins: France 14 South Africa 13
Rassie Erasmus deploys more of his bench with Esterhuizen, Snyman and Louw coming on.
09:23pm
47 mins: France 14 South Africa 13
France are on the attack one more, coming down their left into the Springbok 22 but Bielle-Biarrey’s offload inside to Penaud is knocked on. Had that gone to hand it may well have been a try.
France are going to make plenty of changes with a whole new front-row as well as Taofifenua and Jegou coming on.
09:20pm
44 mins: France 14 South Africa 13
France attack down their right and Penaud chips ahead into the Springbok 22. Bielle-Biarrey is the man to win the ball in the air over Reinach and Lee-Arendse. The ball though ends up in touch off a French foot.
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09:15pm
Second half
We are back under way at the Stade de France. Just the one point in it but South Africa are down a man. It is a permenant red for de Jager so the Springboks will be down to 14 for the rest of the game.
A change for the visitors at the break as centurion Kolisi is off, replaced by Nortje.
09:07pm
Today’s fixtures
Ireland 41 Japan 10
Scotland 17 New Zealand 25
England 38 Fiji 18
Italy 26 Australia 19
France 14 South Africa 13 HT
09:02pm
Red card or not?
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08:59pm
Half-time
An intriguing first half comes to an end and France lead 14-13 at the break. South Africa down to 14 men after de Jager’s red on the stroke of half-time.
08:58pm
40 mins: France 14 South Africa 13
De Jager is the man at the centre of the review. It is a high shot on Ramos but the French full-back had one knee on the ground as the impact happened so he was very low to the ground. It feels like a yellow-card incident. The officials are discussing whether we could be in red-card threshold but Ramos is so low to the ground that this cannot be a red.
However, the officials believe it meets the red-card threshold. I cannot believe that. Ramos has one knee on the ground yet de Jager sees red. There is no doubt about the high contact but how can it be a red when the ball carrier had a knee on the ground.
08:55pm
39 mins: France 14 South Africa 13
South Africa are awarded a penalty on the French 10-metre line and the Springboks will have the chance to take the lead on the stroke of half-time.
Before the penalty, the referee has a word with Ramos and Reinach about getting into too many scraps. Ramos just blames Reinach, saying “it was him”.
However, could there be a twist? The TMO has stepped in to review a possible high tackle...
08:51pm
37 mins: France 14 South Africa 13
South Africa have dominated at scrum time up to this point but France are now awarded a scrum penalty as the Springboks wheel it around.
Ntamack’s kick is superb, taking the French into the Springbok 22 from inside his own half.
However de Jager brilliantly steals the lineout.
08:47pm
TRY! Reinach stunner
That is a sublime, solo try from the South Africa scrum-half. They have a penalty advantage from the scrum and Reinach makes a break from the French 10-metre line as he spots a gap on the fringes of the ruck. He then puts a chip ahead when the final defender Penaud approaches him and he gathers the ball to score. Feinberg-Mngomezulu makes the conversion and the difference is just one.
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08:46pm
32 mins: France 14 South Africa 6
It is not often you see South Africa rattled but they are a little bit at the moment. They do though win themselves a scrum just inside the French half.
Rassie Erasmus has looked a little perplexed in the coaches’ box and he has opted to make a change in the front-row just half an hour into the game. It comes at loosehead prop as Steenekamp replaces Venter. The Springboks are obviously without their first-choice loosehead, Ox Nche, who has flown home injured.
The Springboks win themselves a penalty advantage...
08:44pm
30 mins: France 14 South Africa 6
Normally you would say a Mexican Wave going around a sport stadium signals perhaps a little boredom but that is certainly not the case in the Stade de France right now. The French crowd are loving it.
08:39pm
TRY! Penaud doubles up
The Stade de France is rocking! They have themselves a penalty advantage at the maul but they do not need it as they ship it from the left wing to the right, where Penaud cannot be stopped from going over in the corner despite the best efforts of South Africa’s half-backs. It is a tough touchline conversion for Ramos but he gets it, courtesy of the left upright. France lead by eight.
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08:38pm
25 mins: France 7 South Africa 6
France are on the attack once more and win themselves a penalty as T du Toit is punished for not rolling away at the breakdown. Do France go for goal or go to the corner?
The answer? They go aggressive and go to touch...
08:37pm
24 mins: France 7 South Africa 6
I was about to write that Ntamack had wasted another opportunity for the French. They are attacking on the fringe of the Springbok 22 but for the second time in quick succession the fly-half puts a kick ahead into the 22, which feels like a very negative and unimaginative idea, very un-French. South Africa should catch it and call a mark but instead it is dropped, putting them under huge pressure but they are able to retain possession and clear.
08:35pm
22 mins: France 7 South Africa 6
De Jager has passed his HIA and returns to the field.
08:32pm
20 mins: France 7 South Africa 6
Feinberg-Mngomezulu has gone from 2/2 to 2/4 as another kick slides by, much to the joy of the home crowd.
08:31pm
19 mins: France 7 South Africa 6
That is a gift of a penalty from the French as their defensive line are caught offside. Referee Angus Gardner has a word with France captain Fickou about their discipline. You can just sense that Gardner is getting a little annoyed.
South Africa point to the posts...
08:30pm
18 mins: France 7 South Africa 6
Feinberg-Mngomezulu was two from two but this one slides by the right upright.
08:29pm
17 mins: France 7 South Africa 6
South Africa win a penalty on halfway. They have already kicked a penalty from halfway so will they opt to do so again from the other side this time? Yes they do...
08:25pm
PENALTY SOUTH AFRICA!
Feinberg-Mngomezulu makes no mistake once more from the tee and reduces France’s lead to one.
08:24pm
12 mins: France 7 South Africa 3
After South Africa kick it dead, France have the scrum on their own 10-metre line. However the Springbok pack absolutely destroys them and win the penalty.
The Springboks point to the posts...
08:22pm
10 mins: France 7 South Africa 3
South Africa are being forced into an early HIA change as de Jager is going off at least temporarily. Nortje is coming on.
08:20pm
PENALTY SOUTH AFRICA!
The kick is right on the halfway line but that is no problem for Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who nails the kick. Boy is he in good form!
08:19pm
8 mins: France 7 South Africa 0
France are now the ones to be penalised as they are pinged on halfway for holding on. South Africa have pointed to the posts in an attempt to get on the board.
08:18pm
7 mins: France 7 South Africa 0
South Africa have possession inside the French 22 for the first time tonight but the home side win a penalty at the breakdown to relieve the pressure.
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08:15pm
TRY! Penaud gives France early lead
The hosts strike first and the Stade de France is rocking. France are attacking on the fringes of the Springbok 22 and Ramos comes across the field from left to right to get away from a few tackles. He skips away from a few defenders and puts a kick ahead into the South African 22. Penaud is the man to get on the end of the kick on the bounce and he goes over untouched. Ramos gets the conversion and France lead 7-0 early on.
08:14pm
2 mins: France 0 South Africa 0
Le Garrec unveils his first incredible back-of-the-hand that travels a mile. He did one of those against Wales in Cardiff if my memory serves me correctly. France may be without the incredible Dupont but they still have someone of Le Garrec’s calibre starting at nine, with Lucu on the bench having only just come back from injury.
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08:11pm
Kick-off
We are under way at the Stade de France. What a game we have in store!
08:07pm
Reminder of the teams
France starting XV: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Gael Fickou (captain), 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Nolann Le Garrec, 1 Baptiste Erdocio, 2 Julien Marchand, 3 Regis Montagne, 4 Thibaud Flament, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 7 Paul Boudehent, 8 Mickael Guillard.
Replacements: 16 Guillaume Cramont, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Hugo Auradou, 21 Oscar Jegou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Nicolas Depoortere.
South Africa starting XV: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 1 Boan Venter, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Ruan Nortje, 21 Andre Esterhuizen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.
08:05pm
Anthem time
The teams are led out by South Africa’s newest centurion Siya Kolisi, the man who has lifted the Springboks back-to-back World Cups. It is an incredible scene in Paris, as the lights dim down and are just on the two side.
We are ready for the national anthems, two of the best around in my humble opinion. Two you can absolutely sing along to!
08:03pm
Springbok reception
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07:57pm
All over at the Allianz Stadium
England withstood a testing physical assault from a fired-up Fiji before their Bomb Squad again helped take control to secure 38-18 victory at the Allianz Stadium, their ninth successful win and set up next week’s New Zealand clash nicely.
The match was full of effervescent rugby and shuddering hits and England were ahead by only three points after an hour before taking command with three late tries.
England led 14-13 at half-time after tries for Luke Cowan-Dickie and Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, with Tevita Ikanivere and Caleb Muntz replying for a Fiji team seeking to repeat their 2023 Twickenham success, their first win over England.
Ellis Genge and Ikanivere exchanged tries before England’s bench took over with Jamie George, Henry Arundell and Maro Itoje crossing the line
Full reaction from the match can be found here.
07:49pm
Autumn Nations Series: Fixtures, results and schedule in full
Want a rundown of all of the Autumn Nations Series action so far and the fixtures still to come? Here is everything you need to know about an action-packed month of international rugby.
07:46pm
Recent meetings
- October 2023: France 28 South Africa 29 (World Cup quarter-final)
- November 2022: France 30 South Africa 26
- November 2018: France 26 South Africa 29
- November 2017: France 17 South Africa 18
- June 2017: South Africa 35 France 12
07:44pm
Fabien Galthie praises Springboks
France head coach Fabien Galthie suggested this week that South Africa’s current crop might be the best team ever as he heaped praise on his side’s opponents.
07:41pm
The visitors have arrived
07:38pm
‘The eyes of the rugby world will be on Paris’
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No matter what happens on the pitch at the Stade de France tonight, this feels big. Six Nations champions against Rugby Championship victors, to crown an unofficial best in the world. Springboks fans have travelled in numbers; I can confirm from the state of my Eurostar this morning, from reports of Eurostars after me, and from the streams of South African green along the Boulevard de Clichy this afternoon.
It will still feel like a home game for France but, on the occasion of Siya Kolisi’s 100th cap, there will be a serious South African presence. The eyes of the rugby world will be on Paris tonight – bring it on.
07:35pm
South Africa’s last five results
- November 1: South Africa 61 Japan 7
- October 4: Argentina 27 South Africa 29
- September 27: South Africa 67 Argentina 30
- September 13: New Zealand 10 South Africa 43
- September 6: New Zealand 24 South Africa 17
07:32pm
France’s last five results
- July 19: New Zealand 29 France 19
- July 12: New Zealand 43 France 17
- July 5: New Zealand 31 France 27 15
- March 15: France 35 Scotland 16
- March 8: Ireland 27 France 42
07:29pm
Two years ago . . .
Let’s look back to that night two years ago in Paris and the classic of a Rugby World Cup quarter-final that punctured the hopes and dreams of the host nation. Our Senior Sports Correspondent Tom Cary was lucky enough to enjoy an entertaining evening at the Stade de France.
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France’s flanker Charles Ollivon (right) reacts after defeat in the France 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final - Getty Images/Charles Ollivon
07:23pm
Telegraph Rugby podcast
Go beyond the back pages and join the Telegraph’s rugby experts and big name guests as they tackle the game’s most interesting trends, themes and talking points. Our unrivalled rugby coverage, now available on the move!
Follow the podcast Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.
07:22pm
The hosts have arrived
Les joueurs du #XVdeFrance font leur entrée au @StadeFrance !
@edenparkparis | #frenchflair#partenairedelegance#XVdeFrance#FRAAFSpic.twitter.com/t2HyKyKI47
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) November 8, 2025
07:20pm
Today’s fixtures
Ireland 41 Japan 10
Scotland 17 New Zealand 25
England v Fiji
Italy v Australia
France v South Africa
07:16pm
South Africa team news
For the visitors, it is all about their captain Siya Kolisi this weekend, as he becomes just the ninth Springbok to reach 100 Test caps.
Ox Nche suffered a tour-ending injury last week, which takes out a little sting from the South African scrum, but Gerhard Steenekamp is back in the mix after recovering from injury.
This clash may be too much for Ethan Hooker and youngster Zachery Porthen, which means we could see the return of Damian Willemese to the starting 15 with Thomas Du Toit coming into the front row.
South Africa starting XV: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 1 Boan Venter, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese.
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Ruan Nortje, 21 Andre Esterhuizen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.
07:11pm
France team news
Gaoel Fickou will captain Les Blues tonight, with Nolaan Le Garrec starting at scrum-half in place of the injured Antonie Dupont.
Heading into the match, discussions revolved around who would start in the No.9 jersey as Dupont’s usual deputy Mazime Lucu had only just returned from a thumb injury. Fabiene Galthie, France head coach, has opted for La Rochelle’s Le Garrec, with Lucu taking one of the two back positions on the bench.
One notable omission is Gregory Alldritt, who stood in as captain for Dupont in the Six Nations after the scrum-half ruptured his ACL.
France starting XV: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Gael Fickou (captain), 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Nolann Le Garrec, 1 Baptiste Erdocio, 2 Julien Marchand, 3 Regis Montagne, 4 Thibaud Flament, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 7 Paul Boudehent, 8 Mickael Guillard.
Replacements: 16 Guillaume Cramont, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Hugo Auradou, 21 Oscar Jegou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Nicolas Depoortere.
06:52pm
Preview: France out for revenge?
A heavyweight encounter takes place at the Stade de France as France host South Africa. These sides met in this stadium in the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup, with the Springboks ending the French dreams of winning a home World Cup by winning 29-28. South Africa enter this match as the number one side in the world whilst France have dropped down to fifth.
France have not played since a 3-0 series defeat in New Zealand over the summer, a tour where Fabien Galthie opted to rest a lot of key players. There is still no Antoine Dupont, who is recovering from an ACL injury, whilst there is no place in the matchday squad for number eight Gregory Alldritt. They will also take on Fiji and Australia during this autumn.
South Africa were victorious in the 2025 Rugby Championship, finishing top for the second straight year. Their successful tournament included a 43-10 thrashing of New Zealand in Wellington. This is the second of five games for the Springboks during this tour; they warmed up for this match with a dominant 61-7 win over Japan at Wembley last weekend. They will then take on Italy, Ireland and Wales.
It is a milestone day for Siya Kolisi, who wins his 100th South Africa cap tonight, becoming just the ninth Springbok centurion. Rassie Erasmus has paid tribute to Kolisi, who leads the side out on his 100th cap.
“This is a huge milestone for Siya and we are all delighted for him. He is a level-headed player and although this will be a big occasion for him, and a match that we would like to make special for him, he is fully focused on the task at hand, so he will not allow that to overshadow what he must do on the field. This is a huge game, and the entire team knows how determined France will be to make up for the World Cup result, so we will celebrate Siya’s achievement after the match. That said, hopefully we can make it a memorable game for him.
“France have a quality team all around, with good forwards and backs, and they are a side that plays for the full 80 minutes. They will also have a fanatical home crowd behind them, which will inspire them immensely, so we are fully aware of the magnitude of this match. The key for us is that we have to be accurate in everything we do, make the most of the chances we create, and to keep fighting from the first whistle until the hooter sounds because there is no doubt it is going to be another epic battle between the teams.”
Kick-off from the Stade de France is at 8.10pm.
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