France Seeks Revenge as Springboks Return to Paris
Two years on, the sting of heartbreak still lingers for French rugby fans. The memory of that electric night in October 2023, when South Africa edged France 29–28 in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal at the Stade de France, remains painfully vivid. It wasn’t just a defeat — it felt like something had been stolen. France had home advantage, a record of 18 straight home wins, and their talisman Antoine Dupont playing through a broken cheekbone. Everything pointed to destiny. But the Springboks had other plans.
Now, in 2025, the Springboks return to Paris — and the French want payback. The atmosphere is set to be fierce as these two rugby giants clash once again. “It was our World Cup, and they came and stole it off us,” said scrumhalf Maxime Lucu this week. “We can’t wait to take them on. They’re back-to-back world champions. Everything’s set up perfectly for a great game.”
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Both sides are coming in strong. France holds the Six Nations crown, while South Africa continues to reign supreme in the Rugby Championship. For coach Fabien Galthié, who has led France since 2019, this encounter might just be the biggest challenge of his tenure. “We’ve never played a team this strong,” he admitted. And it’s not hard to see why. The Springboks have kept 11 players from their World Cup-winning squad, while France retains seven from that unforgettable quarterfinal.
South African scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, who spent five years playing in France, knows what to expect. “Their culture is very emotional,” he said. “And when the French play with emotion, they’re dangerous. It’s something we have to stop, and stop early.” The numbers certainly favor the Springboks — France has beaten South Africa only once in the past 16 years and hasn’t managed a win over them in Paris in two decades.
There’s plenty of intrigue in the team selections, too. Captain Siya Kolisi celebrates his 100th Test, while powerhouses like Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit return to strengthen the Boks’ pack. France, meanwhile, has made a bold move by dropping No. 8 Gregory Alldritt in favor of Mickaël Guillard, and veteran Dupont, still recovering from a torn ACL, has been offering support from the sidelines.
Around the rugby world, other exciting clashes are lined up — New Zealand defends its century-long unbeaten record against Scotland, England faces Fiji, Ireland hosts Japan, and Italy meets Australia in Udine. But make no mistake, the spotlight is firmly on Paris.
For France, this isn’t just another Test match. It’s a shot at redemption, a chance to exorcise old ghosts and remind the world that they’re still one of rugby’s most formidable forces. And for the Springboks — it’s business as usual: defend their crown, silence the crowd, and remind everyone why they’re the kings of the game.
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