Two years after a World Cup quarter-final that left a nation heartbroken, France and South Africa are set to renew their fierce rugby rivalry in a blockbuster clash at the Stade de France this Saturday evening.
A Grudge Match For The Ages
The stage is set for an electrifying encounter as the Six Nations champions host the back-to-back Rugby Championship winners. This mouth-watering fixture revives memories of their sensational 2023 World Cup quarter-final, where the Springboks pipped the French hosts by a single point in a match of remarkable intensity and accuracy.
That unforgettable night saw South Africa triumph 29-28, puncturing French dreams on home soil before the Springboks marched on to claim consecutive World Cup crowns. The fine margins that decided that epic contest underlined the elite level at which both teams operate, promising another thrilling spectacle for rugby fans worldwide.
Milestone Moment For Springboks Captain
Adding significant weight to the occasion, Springboks skipper Siya Kolisi earns his 100th cap, leading a settled South African side that comfortably beat Japan in their November opener last week. The visitors show consistency in selection, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu continuing at fly-half for what promises to be a colossal contest.
Meanwhile, this match marks the beginning of France's Quilter Nations Series campaign. With star scrum-half Antoine Dupont still absent due to injury, veteran centre Gael Fickou takes the captain's armband for Les Bleus, tasked with marshalling his team against the world champions.
Revenge On French Minds?
While some French players have attempted to downplay the revenge narrative this week, scrum-half Maxime Lucu's comments to EPCR revealed lingering emotions from that devastating 2023 defeat. "It was our World Cup and they came and stole it off us. It was such a great game," Lucu confessed. "We can't wait to take them on. They're back-to-back world champions. Everything's set up perfectly for a great game."
The historical context and current standings suggest this could be the highlight of the international rugby calendar. By virtually every metric, France and South Africa currently rank as the two premier men's rugby teams globally, setting expectations for a contest of the highest quality when they kick off at 8.10pm GMT on Saturday 8 November 2025.
With northern hemisphere supremacy facing southern hemisphere dominance, and national pride at stake, this Stade de France showdown promises to deliver drama, physicality, and world-class rugby worthy of its magnificent setting.
