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2022 Autumn internationals
France v South Africa
Stade Velodrome
Marseille, France
Saturday, 12 November 2022
Kick-off is at 22h00
South Africa will be targeting an improved performance when they face France at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille on Saturday, November 12, as part of the
2022 Autumn internationals.
The Springboks suffered a 19-16 defeat to Ireland in Dublin last weekend as their lack of a recognised goalkicker was exposed after Damian Willemse and Cheslin Kolbe struggling from the kicking tee.
Seven points went a-begging from the combined boots of Willemse and Kolbe, while several other errors resulted in the Irish recording a second successive win over the world champions.
Boks head coach Jacques Nienaber has tweaked his starting line-up for the clash with Les Tricolores, although Willemse retains his place at flyhalf. Faf de Klerk comes in for Jaden Hendrikse at scrumhalf, while Cheslin Kolbe has been shifted to ring wing to make room for Willie le Roux at fullback.
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Manie Libbok has been added to the bench to bolster their goalkicking department and the Stormers flyhalf is in line to make his international debut against the French.
Nienaber expects the 2023 World Cup hosts to pose a stiff challenge, but he sees the match as an ideal preparation for his team's title defence at the showpiece event and a chance to bounce back from their disappointment against Ireland.
"France have showed in the last year what a force they can be, and they come off a morale-boosting victory against Australia, so we know we are in for," he said.
"Facing France, who are ranked second in the world, on their home patch at what we expect will be a full stadium is great preparation for next year, as the players will experience first-hand what they are in for.
"We will also be playing at this stadium during the World Cup, so this match will be good for us in many ways.
"We've spoken about what went wrong last week and we are working hard on rectifying those areas so that we can we play our potential and make the nation proud this weekend."
France showed why they are ranked No.2 in the world after beating Australia 30-29 at the Stade de France last weekend.
A late try from Damian Penaud saw Fabien Galthie's side register their 11th win on the spin to break a national record that had stood since the 1930's.
It is the perfect confidence booster as they look to halt a seven-match losing streak to South Africa, who won their last two tests on French soil.
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Prop Cyril Baille is wary of the threat that the Boks can pose and insists Les Tricolores are ready to deal with the potential dangers this weekend.
"We're always on alert for this type of match," Baille said. "We know too well that international matches are won and lost on the fundamentals and the details.
"We're always on alert and we'll continue to learn. We know how they became world champions, they had a monstrous scrum and were monstrous with their fantastic backs.
"We're expecting a very tough game and we'll put in the necessary ingredients to play well too."
Head-to-Head:
Matches - 44
France - 11
South Africa - 27
Draws - 6
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