Two of the best rugby sides on the planet will meet on Saturday evening in Paris as France hosts South Africa. The match is part of the traditional End of Year tours, where teams from the Southern Hemisphere travel north to take on the best that Europe has to offer.
South Africa monstered Japan 61-7 at the iconic Twickenham Stadium in London last weekend. The nine-try demolition was a nice way to start their November campaign, but a second win on the bounce promises to be a much more difficult proposition against a French side out for revenge.
France VS South Africa Venue: Stade de France, Paris
France VS South Africa Date: Saturday, November 8
France VS South Africa Odds:
History
The recent history here makes the clash just a little spicier than usual. South Africa knocked France out of the 2023 World Cup at this very venue, in the quarter-finals. It was an epic match, a one-point classic that had an astonishing level of drama and intrigue right until the end.
The win crushed French dreams of lifting the World Cup in their own country and kept them in their status as the best team never to hoist the William Webb Ellis Cup.
While all the pre-match talk will focus on that encounter 25 months ago, it is worth noting that both sides have evolved. Only nine of the French 23 named for Saturday featured in the quarter-final, while that number is 11 of 23 from the ‘Boks.
Head coaches Fabian Galthie and Rassie Erasmus both know that international rugby is all about blooding new players and keeping things fresh. That makes this Test pivotal, as both France and South Africa are deep into their preparations for the 2027 World Cup in Australia.
France
France will pair Nolann Le Garrec and Romain Ntamack in the halves as a fresh pairing in this mighty clash. Galthié has decided to start with Le Garrec, as France talisman Antoine Dupont is still recovering from an ACL injury sustained during the Six Nations in March.
Dupot’s absence hurts the French kicking game. He sees space as well as any No. 9 ever to play the game and has the skillset to drive his team forward with box kicks that can be challenged in the air by his wingers.
South Africa
South Africa will be without one of their own stars as prop Ox Nche is out injured. South Africa’s pack has been the envy of world rugby for years, and there is plenty of depth on the pine. Nche is a massive part of what they do, and his status as one of the best scruammagers in the world means he will be missed.
Best Bets
Winning in the air is going to be massive. As is control of the breakdown. The Boks won both these elements of the game in 2023, and won on the back of the front-foot ball it created.
This will be physical and played right on the edge of legal. One mis-timed tackle, one lazy arm, or one misjudged ruck clear-out could easily lead to a match-turning card. Discipline and accuracy might be the most critical combination of skills on show on Saturday.
This match is a coin toss. I would lean toward France, as they are at home, but whoever wins will do so by a try or less.
