France take on South Africa in a blockbuster Rugby World Cup quarter-final contest tonight.
Few would argue if this meeting had ended up being the final of the 2023 tournament, as the much-fancied hosts take on the defending champions in Paris.
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As it is, through a mixture of the Springboks’ slightest of struggles and a particularly unrelenting side of the World Cup draw, they must duel with only a place in the final four - and a match-up with either England or Fiji - to play for.
France have largely delivered in their role as many people’s tip to win the trophy for the first time, getting the better of New Zealand first off before overcoming a tight encounter with plucky Uruguay and devouring Namibia and Italy to confirm their place atop Pool A.
South Africa dispatched Scotland to set themselves up for a run to the latter stages out of the group of death, before stuttering against a devilish Ireland side to land the honour of trying to send the hosts home early.
Date, kick-off time and venue
France vs South Africa takes place today on Sunday October 15, 2023, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm BST.
The Stade de France in Paris will host the match.
Where to watch France vs South Africa
TV channel: In the UK, tonight’s game is available to watch live and free to air in the UK on ITV1, with coverage beginning at 7.15pm.
Live stream: Fans can also catch the quarter-final action live online via the ITVX website and app.
Live blog: Follow the game tonight with Standard Sport’s live blog.
France vs South Africa team news
Antoine Dupont starts for France after returning to training early this week, barely three weeks after facial surgery, and his return is a massive boost for Les Bleus.
The scrum-half is named in the XV as the only change to the side from the final pool-stage match against Italy, with Maxime Lucu dropping to the bench as his captain comes back in.
Hooker Julien Marchand remains unavailable, while Les Blues have gone for a 6-2 split on the bench as they strengthen their forward options.
South Africa faced a far tougher set of selection decisions ahead of this quarter-final, with questions across the pitch and even on the bench as they considered their split, but they have gone for only five forwards among the replacements on this occasion.
Manie Libbok has done enough to keep his place in the side at fly-half, despite Handre Pollard being fit and available, with Cobus Reinach a surprise call at scrum-half as Faf de Klerk has to settle for a spot on the bench.
Duane Vermeulen starts at No 8, with head coach Jacques Nienaber stating that the Springboks feel he is better suited to the challenge presented by France than Jasper Wiese.
Reinach and Vermeulen are the only changes from the South Africa team that were narrowly eased out by Ireland in Paris last month.
France vs South Africa lineups
France XV: Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Dupont (c); Baille, Mauvaka, Atonio; Woki, Flament; Jelonch, Ollivon, Alldritt
Replacements: Bourgarit, Wardi, Aldegheri, Taofifenua, Cros, Macalou, Lucu, Moefana
South Africa XV: Willemse; Arendse, Kriel, De Allende, Kolbe; Libbok, Reinach; Kitshoff, Mbonambi, Malherbe; Etzebeth, Mostert; Kolisi (c), Du Toit, Vermeulen
Replacements: Fourie, Nche, Koch, Snyman, Smith, De Klerk, Pollard, Le Roux
France vs South Africa referee
New Zealand’s Ben O’Keeffe is in charge of this one with his fellow Kiwis Paul Williams, James Doleman and TMO Brendon Pickerill for assistance.
France vs South Africa prediction
This is not the sort of match where one can confidently place any serious amount of chips on one side of the table.
South Africa have the experience and the power to do just as they did in 2019 and demonstrate their killer instinct when it matters most, despite not being the favourites to go all the way.
France have the swell of home support (which some may say could prove their undoing), the guile and the world’s best player fit and firing. Yes, they may crumble... but it would be brave to bet against it all clicking into place for a France team that may feel that fate is on their side.
France to win, by under five points.
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Les Bleus won these teams’ last meeting, just under 12 months ago, to end a run of seven straight defeats to the Springboks.
Surprisingly, this is only their second ever clash at a World Cup - South Africa having won the last in the 1995 semi-finals on home soil.
France wins: 12
South Africa wins: 27
Draws: 6
France vs South Africa latest odds
France to win: 8/11
South Africa to win: 6/5
Draw: 18/1
