Overview
- South Africa confirmed a reshaped XV with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at fly-half and Boan Venter starting at loosehead beside Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit.
- Kwagga Smith is left out with a hand contusion and Ox Nche is unavailable through injury, with winger Ethan Hooker also omitted from the 23.
- Rassie Erasmus marks his 50th Test as head coach, recalling multiple veterans from the 2023 quarter-final at the same venue.
- French build-up has leaned into payback for the 2023 World Cup exit, with scrumhalf Maxime Lucu calling that defeat “massive,” while Nolann Le Garrec starts alongside Romain Ntamack.
- Kick-off is set for Saturday at the Stade de France at 22:10 SAST in the Autumn Nations Series fixture.