France vs South Africa Predictions - Boks backed to send France packing

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 10 Oct 2023

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Ralph Staniforth 10 Oct 2023

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Watch France vs South Africa in the Rugby World Cup on Sunday (21:00 SAST)
France beat South Africa in their last encounter
Can the Springboks upset the hosts party?

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South Africa can win against France (Getty images)

France vs South Africa Preview

All the quarter-final matches are very evenly poised but none more so than this one. It is the hosts against the defending champions and both sides have looked incredibly good over the course of the World Cup.

France vs South Africa Preview
Head to Head
France Form
France Injuries & Team News
South Africa Form
South Africa Injuries & Team News

France won their last match against South Africa, but the Springboks won seven in a row prior to that. This could go down to the last kick of the game, and I fancy the three-time world champions to just sneak over the line.

France have won their last 4 matches.
France beat South Africa 30-26 in their last encounter.
South Africa have won 3 of their last 4 matches.
South Africa have won 7 of their last 8 matches against France.

Head to Head

South Africa have won seven of their last eight matches against France. However, the one French win in that run came in their outing in November 2022. With both sides playing with 14 men for large periods, France came out on top 30-26.

France Form

France came into their home World Cup as favourites alongside New Zealand. Now, they are favourites alongside Ireland, but South Africa are still very much in the running.

The French went through the pool phase unbeaten, seeing off New Zealand, Uruguay, Namibia and Italy with relative ease. The one issue for the hosts will be how much have they really been tested.

South Africa will bring physicality the French have yet to face in the competition, but they are at home with a strong crowd behind them. Last November France beat South Africa 30-26 in a very tense battle at the Stade de France, expect something very much the same this time around.

France Injuries & Team News

Antoine Dupont has been cleared to play this week. What remains to be seen is whether he can go a full 80 minutes with a metal disk in his face.

South Africa Form

The Springboks have been largely inconsistent since their 2019 Rugby World Cup victory. Much of that can be put down to the coaching staff seldom playing a full-strength team, rather focusing on building depth, which has stood them in good stead recently.

South Africa cruised through the pool phase, beating Scotland, Tonga, and Romania. Their only defeat came to Ireland (13-8) in a game that could have been very different had they kicked their penalties.

Given their depth, South Africa will be mulling over selection for this match. It is do-or-die for them as they look to defend their title.

South Africa Injuries & Team News

Jacques Nienaber has a few big decisions to make this week. Does he stick with Manie Libbok at 10 ahead of reliable goalkicker, Handre Pollard? And does Lukhanyo Am come straight into the starting lineup at outside centre ahead of Jesse Kriel?

Verdict

France v South Africa

I am backing South Africa to win against France and knock the hosts out of the competition.

South Africa Win

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