Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick says the Springboks must bring the same intensity that powered them past France at the 2023 World Cup if they’re to silence the Stade de France once more.
Two years on from that unforgettable quarter-final in Paris – a 29-28 thriller that many still call the greatest Test ever played – the Boks return to the same ground for another prime-time showdown with Les Bleus.
“We have to be at our very best if we are to beat France on Saturday night,” Stick said. “I always say to people, when I look back to the 2023 quarter-final, if we had not been at our best, France could have given us 40 points, but we pitched up for that game.”
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The Springboks have made only one change to the backline that started that night, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu getting the nod at flyhalf. Manie Libbok, who started that quarter-final before Handré Pollard came on to seal it, will be on the bench – a sign that Rassie Erasmus plans to go all-in on attack.
“We knew what was coming that day in front of their home crowd, and we expect the same on Saturday night,” Stick warned. “It is going to be a tough one, but we have the right squad to handle this game.”
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France, meanwhile, have kept faith with the core of their World Cup side. The major change sees Romain Ntamack return at No 10, after missing the 2023 showpiece through injury.
“Ntamack is a world-class player and I know how they missed him in 2023,” Stick said. “But if you look at the players around the flyhalf, they are world-class. Thomas Ramos is an exceptional fullback, and both wings – Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey – are deadly finishers. They are very dangerous players, and if you give them time and space, they will punish you.”
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The Boks expect a relentless, high-tempo onslaught from Les Bleus, but Stick insists his team are ready to meet fire with fire.
“We know the nature of how the French team will play. They will try to keep the ball in play and keep the tempo high,” he said.
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“We will do our best to keep our people proud at home. We know that most South Africans will be focusing on this game, and we want to do it for them. We know it is going to be late [10:10pm kick-off SA time], but they must know that we will do our best for them.”
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As the team honour Siya Kolisi ahead of his 100th cap for South Africa, the Boks will be wearing their white kit at Stade de France tomorrow night
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— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) November 7, 2025
Photo: Warren Little/Getty Images
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