They are the reigning world champions and in a year’s time, they hope to succeed them on the list. Next Saturday, France’s XV will challenge South Africa at the Stade Orange Velodrome in Marseille, and the Blues will be a huge test if they win. France have not faced the Springboks since November 2018, a 26-29 loss at the Stade de France. Another era… Damien Penaud still owns the match in the France group today (Dupont and Fico were on the bench)., evidence of a large renewal between the tricolors over four years. Thirteen of the 23 players who were in the group for the match against France in 2018 is a stark contrast to South Africa who could count on this Saturday when they lost 19-16 in Ireland! The Springboks, who were crowned world champions in Japan in 2019, have relied on the same players for years (first row Kitschoff-Marx-Malherbe, du Toit, Kolisi, second and third rows, Criel and De Allende in the middle … ), but the results have been mixed. The South Africans, who missed matches throughout 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, won eight of their thirteen matches in 2021 and six out of ten this year. A mixed record, placing them third in the world behind Ireland and France. Ireland dominated the first match of the autumn tour in Dublin on Saturday (Australia and New Zealand had beaten South Africa in the Rugby Championship in August).

South Africa continues with seven wins against France

The defeat at the Aviva Stadium caused a lack of realism for coach Jacques Nienaber (in office from 2020, following Rasi Erasmus). “We had opportunities that we didn’t take, but we’ll learn from this game and do what we need to do next week. The difference tonight was that Ireland took every chance they created and we didn’t. There were some good things and some not so good things, which we will work on as we prepare for the match against France. “The coach responded in a press conference before revealing that second-row Lud de Jager is doubtful for next Saturday’s game with a shoulder injury. Note that in this match in Ireland, Toulonnaise Cheslin Kolbe played his first game in Box’s jersey (he scored a penalty). He was the only top 14 player on the team sheet, with most of his teammates playing in South Africa or Japan. France’s victory in Marseille on Saturday will be double history. Not only will the Blues improve their record winning streak (currently 11), they will end a seven-game losing streak against the Springboks, who France have not beaten since November 2009 in Toulouse.