In Paris, France hosts South Africa at the Stade de France for an autumn international, with live coverage from TF1 and a full matchday build‑up driven by atmosphere, lineup announcements, and pre‑match tensions.

France arrive with several injuries and personnel changes, notably Dupont out with a knee injury and only nine players from the 2023 World Cup quarterfinal squad expected to play, while Fickou leads the side.

Paul Willemse, born in South Africa and once a France international, is noted for retirement due to multiple concussions, adding a personal subplot to the French narrative.

South Africa, captained by Siya Kolisi, aims to continue their tour after beating Japan, with remaining tests against Italy, Ireland and Wales on the schedule.

South Africa’s backline features Cheslin Kolbe at 14, Damian de Allende at 12, and Kurt‑Lee Arendse at 11, while Cobus Reinach directs from scrumhalf and Du Toit’s pack provides the forward power.

Siya Kolisi is making his 100th test appearance for the Springboks, a milestone highlighted by coach Rassie Erasmus who stresses focus and precision.

The captain’s milestone is paired with a lineup including Damian Willemse at fullback, Sacha Feinberg‑Mngomezulu at flyhalf, and Boan Venter in the pack, signaling a carefully crafted squad.

France’s starting lineup includes Gaël Fickou at inside centre as captain, with wings Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey and a new half‑back pairing of Le Garrec and Ntamack.

There are concerns about France’s front‑row experience and conditioning, with Ramos warming up visibly while Ntamack and Le Garrec form the fresh half‑back pairing.

The match carries a sense of historical context, including the 2023 World Cup quarterfinal where South Africa edged France, intensifying the autumn clash as a potential revenge opportunity for France.

Coverage frames the game as a high‑stakes showdown on the autumn tour, with France eager to rebound from the 2023 quarterfinal and test themselves against the two‑time world champions.

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus names six changes from the previous test against Japan for the Stade de France showdown.