Overview
- South Africa named a near-identical starting XV on Monday, signaling continuity after a 66-7 win over Italy and leaving the Springboks arriving in strong form for Friday’s Test at the Stade de France.
- Rassie Erasmus publicly downplayed injuries as an excuse, listing several absent Springboks while warning his side will not assume they are favorites despite recent wins.
- France’s rugby team goes into the Test depleted by a long injury list among senior players, a problem that coaching staff say is affecting selection and preparation for the match on 13 November.
- Zinédine Zidane reshuffled his football group on Tuesday when Marcus Thuram was ruled out and replaced by Éli Junior Kroupi while Aurélien Tchouaméni left the camp with adductor problems and will not be replaced.
- Several youngsters including Saël Kumbedi, Pablo Pagis and Kroupi have been fast-tracked into the France squad, a move that changes matchday options now and could influence selection and squad planning through the Nations League fixtures.