Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
2025 Autumn Internationals
France v South Africa
Stade de France
Saint-Denis, France
Saturday, 8 November 2025
Kick-off is at 22h15
South Africa return to the scene of their 2023 World Cup triumph when they lock horns with France at the Stade de France on Saturday, November 8.
The Springboks narrowly beat Les Bleus 29-28 at the same venue two years ago on their way to being crowned world champions for a historic fourth time.
Rassie Erasmus' side recently retained the Rugby Championship title and they're on a four-match winning streak since losing 24-17 to New Zealand in the annual Southern Hemisphere competition on September 6.
South Africa kicked off their tour of the Northern Hemisphere with a 61-7 demolition of Japan at Wembley in London on November 1 which saw Kurt-Lee Arendse named Man of the Match after he scored two of their nine tries.
The Boks have won three of their last four tests on French soil, although each match was closely contested with the biggest winning margin seeing the hosts emerge 30-26 victors in Marseille on 12 November 2022.
Siya Kolisi is poised to make his 100th test appearance in Saint-Denis, where Erasmus expects the atmosphere to be electric and will provide a real test for his players.
"We know the challenge of playing against France away from home. In 2022, we (coaching staff) were still allowed next to the field, and the passion, intensity, pressure... and the whole cauldron in which you play there [is incredible]," Erasmus said.
"I think we have sufficient depth, experience, quality players and youth in the squad. But it is a totally different ball game [playing in France]. It is a pressure cooker and it really gets to you.
"It did in 2022 when we lost there. I think Kwagga [Smith] got a yellow and Pieter-Steph [du Toit] got a red. We did beat them in the World Cup but we obviously know how close that game was.
"So it is a massive match coming up... It will be a massive step up from Japan and some of the other Test matches we played (against Italy and Georgia) in the incoming series."
France, who won the Six Nations earlier this year, were last in action against the All Blacks in July when they lost all three of their matches in New Zealand.
Fabien Galthie's side put up a real fight in the first test, losing by just four points (31-27) in Dunedin before suffering a heavy 43-17 defeat in Wellington seven days later.
The margin of their loss in Hamilton was a lot smaller (29-19) and Galthie will be hoping Les Bleus can provide more of a challenge to the world champions.
France's attack coach Patrick Arlettaz admits they are still haunted by the World Cup quarter-final defeat to the Boks and revealed their preparations are been thorough for this revenge match.
"There was sadness, frustration, and maybe a sense of injustice. It's still a scar for everyone, myself included, but we have to build on it to become better," Arlettaz told Rugbyrama.
"But, yes, the desire to beat them is very strong – absolutely. We believe we can match them physically. We don't have the same preparation time, but that only fuels our hunger.
"The Springboks kick between 15 and 17 high balls per match - that's more than scrums, and about the same as line-outs. We can't ignore that. We've spent real time on it."
Head-to-Head:
Matches - 46
France wins - 12
South Africa wins - 28
Draws - 6
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