Springboks and France meet in Nations Championship clash

South Africa will face France at the Stade de France on Friday, November 13, in a Nations Championship match between teams coming off emphatic wins. The Springboks beat Italy 66-7 in Turin, while France defeated Fiji 54-17 in Lyon.

The fixture offers South Africa a chance to extend its recent run of success against France in Paris. The Springboks have won their last five Tests against the French at the Stade de France, according to reports, including the 29-28 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal in 2023 and a 32-17 victory in 2025. The 2023 match was decided by one point, sending South Africa through to the semifinals.

Both teams scored freely in their most recent matches. South Africa crossed for nine tries against Italy, and France scored eight against Fiji. The results set up a meeting of sides that enter the fixture in strong form, although the outcome of Friday’s match remains to be decided.

Former South African lock Victor Matfield said France would present a more physical challenge than Fiji. He also pointed to injuries among the French forwards, including Emmanuel Meafou and Thibaud Flament, and said those absences could affect the pack. Those assessments are Matfield’s view of...