Antoine Dupont from France. (Photo by: Franck Fife/AFP)
France you will get the best of gazelles in Saturday’s test in Marseille, if the local bookmakers are to be believed.
The hosts are on a record 11-match unbeaten run, with their impressive winning streak dating back to July 2021. It includes a convincing victory over New Zealand and a first-ever Six Nations Grand Slam success in more than one decade.
The Springboks, however, have beaten France on their last three visits to the country: 29-26 in 2018; 18-17 in 2017; and 19-10 in 2013.
In all, France have lost their last seven Tests against South Africa, their most recent success being a 20-13 win in Toulouse in 2009.
But the French are second in the World Rugby rankings and local bookies Betway have made them clear favorites to crack their losing duck against the Springboks.
The French can be backed in 1.49 oddswhile the Boks are outsiders in 2.90 odds. A tie can be backed in installments 23/1.
Bookmakers predict a French victory in the region of 10 points.
The test on Saturday starts at 22:00 (SA time).
Equipment:
France
15 Tomas Ramos; 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Yoram Moefana; 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain); 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Anthony Jelonch; 5 Thibaud Flament, 4 Cameron Woki; 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille
Substitutes: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Sipili Falatea, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Bastien Chalureau, 21 Sekou Macalou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Matthieu Jalibert
South Africa
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Kwagga Smith, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain) , 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche
Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Deon Fourie, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Makazole Mapimpi
