It is the first time the two sides have met since the dramatic 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final at the same venue, which the Springboks won by a single point to knock Les Bleus out of the tournament in front of their own fans.
There has been plenty of chatter about that moment leading up to the game this weekend and the chance to get some revenge is clearly providing extra incentive for the French, although they have made it clear they are not treating this as a grudge match.
Regardless of any extra storylines, the match represents a mouthwatering prospect for the wider rugby community, pitting the reigning Six Nations champions against the repeat Rugby Championship winners.
France also has a point to prove against Southern Hemisphere opposition after an underwhelming tour of New Zealand early this year, in which they were beaten in three out of three Tests.
The Northern Hemisphere teams are desperate to prove they are closing the gap to their southern counterparts and a strong performance against the double world champions would go a long way.
However, they will have to do so without rock star Antoine Dupont, who misses the match with a knee ligament injury that he picked up in the Six Nations against Ireland in March.
In addition to the absence of Dupont, France head coach Fabien Galthie will also have to make do without the likes of flankers Charles Ollivon and Francois Cros, as well as prop Cyril Baille, who are all out injured and represent 142 Tests' worth of experience.
Galthie also dropped loose forward Gregory Alldritt from the squad entirely, who has been the stand-in captain for the injured Dupont, leaving the leadership duties in the hands of Gael Fickou.
While he will likely have a few decisions to make soon in terms of squad selection building towards the next Rugby World Cup, the team he has picked for the Test against the Springboks is very much in "win now" mode.
Only two of the fresh faces from the New Zealand tour have kept their places in the squad in props Regis Montagne and Baptiste Erdocio, while French fans are eagerly anticipating the return of Romain Ntamack at flyhalf in what is set to be an epic duel against the Springboks' up-and-coming superstar Sacha Feinburg-Mngomezulu.
In the South Africa camp, legendary captain Kolisi is set to join an elite club of players when he makes his 100th cap for the Springboks this weekend. His impact on the team over a storied career cannot be understated and his charges will be champing at the bit to ensure a positive result for him in this landmark Test.
However, they have some injury concerns of their own after world-class prop Ox Nche was injured in their 61-9 thrashing of Japan a week ago and removed from the touring squad.
Head coach Rassie Erasmus has built so much depth within his system that there are plenty of able replacements.
Boan Venter, who comes in for the match against France, is no slouch in the scrums, but the fact that Nche is in the running for World Player of the Year for the second season in a row as a prop indicates just how much of a hole his absence creates.
While the Springboks are not as reliant on forward dominance for success as they have been in previous years, getting on top in the tight areas still plays a big part in their strategy and Nche's absence gives Les Bleus a chance to disrupt this area of the game.
The scrumhalf battle between Cobus Reinach and Nolann Le Garrec, who faces the Springboks for the first time in his career, is also set to be crucial. Box kicking has become such an important tool for setting the tempo at Test level and Reinach's experience gives him the edge here. His pace also poses a significant threat to France around the edge of rucks and mauls, as well as if he can get his hands on the ball out wide.
History is on South Africa's side going into the match, with the Springboks having won eight of the last nine Tests between the two sides and 28 of the 46 total.
France has only won 12 and there have been an incredible six draws. However, the last four Tests between the two behemoths have been decided by four points or less.
The Springboks' depth, experience and form make them favourites for this match but the ravenous home crowd at Stade de France is going to balance the scales somewhat for Les Bleus. The only thing for certain is that this is going to be a tight, hotly contested Test match that will likely be decided by narrow margins.
Date: Saturday, 8 November 2025
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis (Paris)
Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
World Rankings: South Africa #1, France #5
Springboks - 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Boan Venter
Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Ruan Nortje, 21 Andre Esterhuizen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok
France team: France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Gael Fickou, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Nolann le Garrec, 8 Mickael Guillard, 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Regis Montagne, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Baptiste Erdocio
Replacements: 16 Guilaume Cramont, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Hugo Auradou, 21 Oscar Jegou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Nicolas Depoortere
Rassie Erasmus says naming the Springbok side to face France was anything but straightforward, with rotation plans, tactical decisions, and some key absences shaping a number of tight selection calls.
Former Australia scrumhalf George Gregan is counting the losses following the unveiling of Rugby's Greatest Rivalry Tour between the Springboks and the All Blacks.
France flyhalf Romain Ntamack is bracing for a direct showdown with breakout Springbok star Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, a player he openly admires.
Rassie Erasmus has named a familiar and formidable line-up to do battle with France in Paris on Saturday, on a day when Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will celebrate his 100th appearance in the green and gold.
