The Springboks will face a passionate French side in Paris tonight as Siya Kolisi marks his 100th Test cap at the Stade de France. It will be both a celebration and a test of endurance for a South African team braced for an emotional encounter against a host nation still smarting from 2023’s World Cup quarter-final defeat.

No 8 Jasper Wiese said he expects: “an emotionally charged” performance from Les Bleus. “They are still carrying a lot of hurt and have said they want to avenge that defeat, so it’s going to be a good challenge,” he said. Wiese described the French forwards as: “big boys who will try to bully you,” adding that the forward battle would be decisive. “We analysed them well this week, and that’s definitely where it could come down to,” he said.

Coach Rassie Erasmus has made six changes to the side that beat Japan last Saturday, recalling Thomas du Toit, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Eben Etzebeth, and Damian Willemse, while Boan Venter replaces the injured Ox Nche. Cobus Reinach partners Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at halfback, with Willemse shifting to fullback and Cheslin Kolbe returning to the wing.

France will be without injured captain Antoine Dupont, with Nolann Le Garrec expected to start at scrumhalf. Coach Fabien Galthié’s men, driven by the power of their pack and the finishing of Damian Penaud, will look to reclaim pride on home soil.

Kickoff is at 22:10 South African time.

The Common Sense’s Sports Desk, which did very badly last week, is split on the score. Marius Roodt is calling it 27 – 21, Warwick Grey is calling it 24 – 17 Frans Cronje, is calling it 33 – 21, The Guru is calling it as 38 – 31, Gabriel Makin 30 – 17, and Reine Opperman 29 – 20, all for the Boks.