France captain Antoine Dupont faces a critical test at the Stade de France this Friday, November 13, 2026, as Les Bleus aim to break a nine-loss streak against South Africa.
The scrum-half, shifting to the fly-half position for the fifth round of the Nations Championship, seeks to snap the Springboks’ dominance.
The fixture carries heavy historical weight, marking a reunion between the two sides since their 2023 World Cup quarter-final, which ended in a narrow 29-28 victory for the eventual world champions.
According to information.tv5monde.com, the French squad is acutely aware that they must “sortir le bon match au bon moment” (deliver the right performance at the right time) to overcome a team Dupont describes as “la bête noire” (the bogey team) for many nations. This Friday, the French team continues its Nations Championship campaign with a clash against the South Africans, a fixture anticipated for months.
Fabien Galthié Implements Three Changes to the Starting Lineup
Following a 54-17 victory over the “Flying Fijians” last Saturday, head coach Fabien Galthié has implemented three changes to the starting lineup. This includes the return of Julien Marchand at hooker, replacing Maxime Lamothe.
While Dupont prepares for his first international start at fly-half in his 66th cap, he noted the challenge of the transition: “Ça a été un choix, on en a parlé ensemble, et on va essayer de s’adapter à ce qui nous sera proposé demain, mais on n’a pas eu beaucoup de temps pour réfléchir”, he said.
🇫🇷🇿🇦 La compo du #XVdeFrance pour défier les Sud-Africains ce vendredi à 21h10 ! 🎟️ Nos Bleus auront besoin de vous ➡️ https://t.co/JIF283Gw0r pic.twitter.com/tReajd58fn
Players Released and Kolisi Denies Psychological Advantage
- Thirteen players who were present at the Marcoussis National Rugby Centre this week have been released, including Jefferson Poirot and Gaël Fickou. Among the seven designated reserves, the squad includes Stade Français trio Moses Alo-Émile, Louis Carbonel, and Léo Barré.
South Africa’s captain, Siya Kolisi, rejected the notion that the Springboks hold a psychological advantage, despite their record of nine wins in the last ten meetings.
“Notre système ne change pas en fonction de l’adversaire,” Kolisi told RMC Sport, emphasizing that his team treats each match as an independent event regardless of past outcomes at the Stade de France. When asked about the French system compared to international standards, Kolisi noted: “Nous avons tous des avantages et des désavantages.”
Dupont noted that while the Springboks exert immense pressure, they are susceptible to being “broken” if the French can maintain composure under the blitz defense. “Il va falloir qu’on se surprenne nous et qu’on les surprenne eux,” Dupont stated via information.tv5monde.com, acknowledging that the French side is not in the most favorable context but remains capable of winning.
Les 23 joueurs du XV de France pour défier l'Afrique du Sud 🇫🇷🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/IXsOeGPnAB
The Cape Times, as highlighted by Actu.fr, labeled him a “génie sans Coupe du monde” (genius without a World Cup), framing this match as a definitive test for his legacy against the current titleholders.
Former coach Nick Mallett suggested in a podcast that a lingering sense of “rancœur” (resentment) exists within the French ranks following previous high-stakes defeats, which could fuel an aggressive start on Friday. Responding to the tension, a report on rugby365.com noted: “Les Springboks ont déjà prouvé qu’ils étaient à l’aise dans le rôle du méchant à Paris.”
Fabien Galthié’s squad selection reflects the current injury crisis, with Grégory Alldritt returning as number 8 and Julien Marchand reclaiming the starting hooker spot. The staff has opted to release 13 players, including Gaël Fickou and Jefferson Poirot, to manage the squad load before the fixture.
As the teams prepare for the 21:10 kickoff, the atmosphere at the Stade de France—described by Kolisi as a “theatre”—will serve as the backdrop for a clash of philosophies.
“C’est juste toi et les gars qui sont derrière toi. C’est tout ce qui compte,” Kolisi told RMC Sport. The match will be broadcast on TF1, marking another chapter in a rivalry that both teams seem intent on maintaining at the highest level.
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La composition du XV de France pour affronter l'Afrique du Sud dans le Championnat des Nations 🇫🇷🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/R30TzX9P7f
Earlier coverage: Dupont to Play Fly-Half as France Face South Africa in Paris
