Much of the attention has centred on France captain Antoine Dupont, who has been named at flyhalf following an injury crisis in the hosts’ number 10 position. However, the Springboks are well aware of the threat he poses, regardless of the jersey he wears.

Both teams completed their preparations on Thursday with their traditional captains’ runs, giving the media an opportunity to question the Bok leadership about France’s reshuffled halfback combination.

Kolisi was not surprised by Dupont’s selection, pointing out that the French star has the ability and experience to play in different positions.

“He’s played there before for his club, and he played very well. He can play almost anywhere on the field and he’s a good enough player to do it,” Kolisi said.

France have paired Dupont with Maxime Lucu, who is also comfortable playing flyhalf. Kolisi expects the two playmakers to interchange during the match.

“Antoine wants to be on the ball a lot and creates a lot of play on the field, so for him to go to scrumhalf will also be natural. They’ll be able to adjust,” he explained.

However, Kolisi insisted that the Springboks would stick to their defensive principles rather than make special adjustments for one player.

The Springbok team to face France on Friday - Morgan Piek

“Our system doesn’t change for any team we play against. We’ve watched clips and seen how they play, including how he plays at flyhalf, so we haven’t done anything special for him individually.”

Stick shared his captain’s sentiments but warned that France’s halfback combination could cause serious problems if given time and space.

“France will always bring physicality. They have very good physical players, especially among their forwards, but number nine and number 10 is where it’s going to get tricky,” Stick said.

He believes Dupont will have the freedom to move between scrumhalf and flyhalf, with Lucu equally capable of taking control at first receiver.

Siya Kolisi and Antoine Dupont ahead for the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Paris - X

The Springboks are also wary of France’s dangerous outside backs, particularly Louis Bielle-Biarrey, whose pace could punish any defensive mistakes.

“If you allow that halfback combination time and space with the ball in hand, they have the potential to punish us. Our main focus is making sure we don’t allow that,” Stick added.

He believes the battle between the forward packs will be equally important, with both teams looking to establish dominance and provide their backlines with quality possession.

In 2025 the Springboks beat France 32-17 in Paris, in what was also Siya Kolis's 100th Test - SA Rugby

Kolisi, meanwhile, dismissed suggestions that South Africa’s dramatic one-point victory over France in the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final would give the Boks a psychological advantage.

“We take every game as it comes. What happened then is history. We’ve changed the group and a little bit in the way we play, so we don’t get stuck on things that have happened before,” he said.

Friday’s Test at Stade de France in Paris kicks off at 22:10.

France - 15 Théo Attissogbe, 14 Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, 13 Kalvin Gourgues, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Antoine Dupont (captain), 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Cameron Woki, 6 François Cros, 5 Mickaël Guillard, 4 Florian Verhaeghe, 3 Sipili Falatea, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros

Replacements - 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Régis Montagne, 19 Charles Ollivon, 20 Tom Staniforth, 21 Esteban Capilla, 22 Axel Desperes, 23 Emilien Gailleton

Springboks - 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nché

Replacements - 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Cameron Hanekom, 21 Paul de Villiers, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok

Morgan Piek OFM Sport