Before their quarterfinal on Sunday, South Africa will face France, a team they haven’t faced before in a Rugby World Cup.
This Saturday, the quarterfinal match of the 2023 Rugby World Cup will feature the Springboks versus Les Bleus.
This was verified last Saturday night as Ireland thrashed Scotland 36-14, securing the top spot in Pool B for the Irish and demoting the Springboks to runners-up.
The hosts France, who triumphed in Pool A, will face South Africa in the Round of 8.
The defending champions have frequently faced opponents like England, New Zealand, Australia, and Wales at World Cups, but it’s noteworthy to note that France are a relatively unknown adversary.
Here are three intriguing World Cup facts to consider before this exciting quarterfinal.
THE BOKS HAVE ONLY MET FRANCE ONCE BEFORE IN A RUGBY WORLD CUP
South Africa have only faced France once in a Rugby World Cup, during the semi-finals in 1995. The match was delayed by an hour due to heavy rain and violent storms.
Some may remember the water-logged pitch at Kings Park where this titanic battle played out. South Africa eventually scraped home 19-15, withstanding a strong French effort near the end of the game.
Both France and South Africa have advanced to more than one final.
The two teams have a strong knockout record, with France making two final appearances (1987 and 2015). South Africa has never lost in a championship game and has won the competition in 1995, 2007, and 2019.
France and South Africa have only failed to go past the quarterfinal stage twice since South Africa was readmitted to international competition (SA in 2003 and 2011, and France in 2015 and 2019).
SINCE READMISSION, THE BOKS HAVE A 54% WIN RECORD AGAINST FRANCE
France hold the current bragging rights over SA, following their 30-26 victory over the Boks in 2022 in Marseille. Overall, the two sides have faced each other 26 times since readmission and the Boks have won 14 of those fixtures, with two draws.
Sunday’s fixture promises to be highly-competitive encounter between two giants of the game. The match kicks off at the Stade de France in Paris at 21:00.
