France and South Africa faced off at the Stade de France in the headline clash of the 2025 Autumn Nations Series.
The game carried extra weight as their first meeting since the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal, when the Springboks narrowly advanced on their way to another world title.
This time, the margin was far more convincing.
France struck early through Damian Penaud, whose two first-half tries gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about.
But the Springboks showed why they remain the top-ranked team in the world. Even after losing Lood de Jager to a red card before halftime, South Africa stayed composed, turning the match with relentless forward play and a punishing maul that broke the French defense in the final quarter.
In the end, the Springboks powered to a 32–17 win, extending their dominance and silencing the Stade de France.
End Of Game: Springboks Win
Final: France 17, South Africa 32
It may not have seemed so at halftime, but in the end South Africa completely outmatched a French squad that hasn’t played since July.
Two Damian Penaud tries got Les Bleus off to a scorching start, with his second coming in the 27th minute. Thomas Ramos set up both tries with brilliant play.
Early on, the Boks chose to focus on penalty goals instead of opting for lineouts. Through four penalty attempts, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu made two, keeping SA within reach of the lead.
What made little sense in the first half, made complete sense as the French team were worn down. After a slew of replacements, South Africa turned their focus to kicking to touch, lineouts and using the maul to score, with two of their last three tries coming from that strategy.
Oh, and the Springboks played with 14 men after a first-half red card on Lood de Jager for a high tackle.
South Africa keeps their hold on the No. 1 spot in the world, and indisputably so.
Sacha Scores! – 77′
France 17, South Africa 32
This game has turned, as Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu takes the offload from Manie Libbok, fakes a pass, and then scores.
Bielle-Biarrey Comes Back – 74′
France 17, South Africa 25
Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s yellow card has expired and France have the man-advantage once again.
Easy to forget that the Springboks have played with 14 men since the 39th minute.
Grant Wiliams Scores! – 71′
France 17, South Africa 25
South Africa once again pushes behind the maul, this time the ball finds its way to Grant Williams, who scoots around the pile of players and past the try-line.
Has that decided it!? 🤯
Grant Williams does it himself to extend the Springboks’ lead 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/RFkFhyXjZm
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 8, 2025
South Africa Take The Lead! – 64′
France 17, South Africa 18
The Springboks immediately take the lead off the penalty, using the maul to push the French defense backwards.
Andre Esterhuizen is awarded the try.
Sacha misses the conversion.
The Springboks have the lead in Paris 👀
André Esterhuizen the man to dot down for South Africa 💥 pic.twitter.com/ZxCWh4oSBz
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 8, 2025
Louis Bielle-Biarrey Shown Yellow Card 🟨 – 63′
France 17, South Africa 13
Deliberate knock-on by Louis Bielle-Biarrey during the South Africa’s push after an SA build-up at the French end.
Ramos Adds Three Points – 59′
France 17, South Africa 13
Thomas Ramos adds a penalty goal as France tries to pad their lead.
France Holding Lead – 57′
France 14, South Africa 13
France are holding onto the 1-point lead by the skin of their teeth. It’s been a lot of back and forth by each team throughout the second half. Both have had chances but have not capitalized.
Both squads have been overhauled with replacements, including Manie Libbok coming on for Damian Willemse. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu stays on at No. 10.
Lots Of Replacements – 47′
South Africa
- Andre Esterhuizen on → Damian de Allende off
- RG Snyman on → Eben Etzebeth off
- Wilco Louw on → Thomas du Toit off
- Ruan Nortje on → Siya Kolisi off
France
- Romain Taofifenua on → Emmanuel Meafou off
- Oscar Jegou on → Mickael Guillard off
- Dorian Aldegheri on → Regis Montagne off
- Guillaume Cramont on → Julien Marchand off
- Jean-Baptiste Gros on → Baptiste Erdocio off
Second Half Begins – 40′
France 14, South Africa 13
We have 40 more minutes of elite rugby union ahead of us as the second half at Stade de France begins.
Halftime In Saint-Denis
France 14, South Africa 13
What a wild first half at Stade de France.
France will head into the locker room with a 1-point lead over the world champion South Africa Springboks.
Lood De Jager Shown Red Card! 🟥 – 39′
France 14, South Africa 13
Lood de Jager has been sent off after lowering his shoulder to hit Thomas Ramos in the head.
Massive loss for the Springboks, who have been slightly outplayed, but are only a single point behind Les Bleus. This could have big implications in this game.
Halftime coming soon.
THE moment Lood de Jager was shown a straight red card for a dangerous tackle 🟥
Just listen to that French crowd 😳 pic.twitter.com/e8OZdCBpJj
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 8, 2025
Reinach Chips To Himself, Scores – 33′
France 14, South Africa 13
Cobus Reinach scores with a line-break out of nowhere, doing everything himself, including a chip ahead before gathering and scoring.
Bokke back to within 1 point.
😲😲
Cobus Reinach really did just do it all himself 🔥
Comeback coming for the Springboks? pic.twitter.com/odgY3BmaXs
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 8, 2025
Ramos -> Penaud Try – 27′
France 14, South Africa 6
Again, after the lineout, the ball finds its way to Ramos, who sends it to the right wing for Damian Penaud to secure a first-half brace, scoring his second try of the game.
Penaud slides into the advertising signage after the try.
France At 5m – 25′
France 7, South Africa 6
France will take a lineout at the 5m line, as they push to score again.
SA Misses Again – 19′
France 7, South Africa 6
South Africa continues to get penalty-goal chances, but Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has missed the last two attempts.
France maintains a 1-point lead.
Sacha Misses From Long – 17′
France 7, South Africa 6
The Springboks, who seem to want to kick their way to the lead, miss their third penalty attempt as Sacha kicks it wide right to the joy of the Stade crowd.
Sacha Adds Another Three – 12′
France 7, South Africa 6
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu kicks another penalty and the Springboks have nearly evened up the score.
SA Notches Three – 9′
France 7, South Africa 3
Sacha converts a penalty and cuts into the early French lead.
France Strikes First! – 4′
France 7, South Africa 0
Thomas Ramos flicks to the outside right wing and Damian Penaud takes it across the line.
Ramos is an absolute magician, and France gets on the board with little resistance.
World class player to world class player 🤝
Damien Penaud becomes France’s all-time leading try scorer in STYLE 😎 pic.twitter.com/aJcMpCJzss
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 8, 2025
Game Begins – 0′
France 0, South Africa 0
The biggest test match of 2025 is underway as France kicks off to the South African team. The Springboks are wearing their white jerseys with green shorts, while Les Bleus are in their home blues.
Goosebumps 🥶
La Marseillaise in full voice in Paris. We are in for a treat tonight 🔥 pic.twitter.com/vkcHWBz8sX
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 8, 2025
Bokke Arrive At Stade
The #Springboks have arrived at the Stade de France 🏟️#ForeverGreenForeverGold #FRAvRSA pic.twitter.com/7o90EAmIon
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 8, 2025
France Locker Room Hype
💙 Dans le vestiaire, tout est en place… il n’attend plus que nos joueurs !
👕 @adidasrugby_FR #XVdeFrance #FRAAFS pic.twitter.com/K2uXHe0PbZ
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) November 8, 2025
Where To Watch South Africa Vs. France
France vs. South Africa will be broadcast live on CNBC and Peacock in the United States.
- UK: TNT Sports
- USA: Peacock
- Ireland: TNT Sports (Autumn Nations Games) / Virgin Media (Ireland Games)
- Wales: S4C
- South Africa: SuperSport
- Australia: Stan Sport
- New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ
Springboks Vs. France Kick Off Time
France vs. South Africa will kick off at 8:10 p.m. UK / 3:10 p.m. ET / 4:10 p.m. South Africa (SAST) on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025.
France Rugby Lineup
- Baptiste Erdocio
- Julien Marchand
- Regis Montagne
- Thibaud Flament
- Emmanuel Meafou
- Anthony Jelonch
- Paul Boudehent
- Mickael Guillard
- Nolann Le Garrec
- Romain Ntamack
- Louis Bielle-Biarrey
- Gael Fickou
- Pierre-Louis Barassi
- Damian Penaud
- Thomas Ramos
Substitutes: 16. Guillaume Cramont, 17. Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18. Dorian Aldegheri, 19. Romain Taofifenua, 20. Hugo Auradou, 21. Oscar Jegou, 22. Maxime Lucu, 23. Nicolas Depoortere
Springboks Team Today
- Boan Venter
- Malcolm Marx
- Thomas du Toit
- Eben Etzebeth
- Lood de Jager
- Siya Kolisi
- Pieter-Steph du Toit
- Jasper Wiese
- Cobus Reinach
- Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
- Kurt-Lee Arendse
- Damian de Allende
- Jesse Kriel
- Cheslin Kolbe
- Damian Willemse
Substitutes: Johan Grobbelaar, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Wilco Louw, 19. RG Snyman, 20. Ruan Nortje, 21. Andre Esterhuizen, 22. Grant Williams, 23. Manie Libbok
France Rugby Fixtures 2025
- Saturday, Nov. 8 – 3:10 p.m. ET – France vs. South Africa – Stade de France
- Saturday, Nov. 15 – 3:10 p.m. ET – France vs. Fiji – Stade Matmut-Atlantique
- Saturday, Nov. 22 – 3:10 p.m. ET – France vs. Australia – Stade de France
Springboks Rugby Fixtures 2025
- Saturday, Nov. 8 – 3:10 p.m. ET – France vs. South Africa – Stade de France
- Saturday, Nov. 15 – 1:40 p.m. ET – Italy vs. South Africa – Stadio Olimpico
- Saturday, Nov. 22 – 6:40 p.m. ET – Ireland vs. South Africa – Aviva Stadium
- Saturday, Nov. 29 – 4:10 p.m. ET – Wales vs. South Africa – Principality Stadium
How To Watch England A Vs. All Blacks XV
Fans in the United States can stream England A vs All Blacks XV live on FloRugby and the FloSports app, with full match replays and highlights available on demand.
How To Watch Autumn Nations Series 2025
The 2025 Autumn Nations will be broadcast on different networks all over the world. If you live in the USA, you can watch the games on Peacock.
- UK: TNT Sports
- USA: Peacock
- Ireland: TNT Sports (Autumn Nations Games) / Virgin Media (Ireland Games)
- Wales: S4C
- South Africa: SuperSport
- Australia: Stan Sport
- New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ
Autumn Nations 2025 Schedule & Autumn Internationals 2025 Schedule
Saturday, Nov. 8
- 7 a.m. ET – Georgia vs. USA – Adjarabet Arena (Autumn International)
- 7:40 a.m. ET – Ireland vs. Japan – Aviva Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 10:10 a.m. ET – Scotland vs. New Zealand – Scottish Gas Murrayfield (Autumn Nations)
- 12:40 p.m. ET – Italy vs. Australia – Bluenergy Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 12:40 p.m. ET – England vs. Fiji – Allianz Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 3:10 p.m. ET – France vs. South Africa – Stade de France (Autumn Nations)
- 10 a.m. ET – Colombia vs. Mexico – Estadio Cincuentenario (Autumn International)
- 10 a.m. ET – Romania vs. Canada – Stadionul Național Arcul de Triumf (Autumn International)
- 10 a.m. ET – Portugal vs. Uruguay – Estádio Nacional do Jamor (Autumn International)
Sunday, Nov. 9
- 10:10 a.m. ET – Wales vs Argentina – Principality Stadium (Autumn Nations)
Saturday, Nov. 15
- 7 a.m. ET – Georgia vs. Canada – Adjarabet Arena (Autumn International)
- 7:40 a.m. ET – Italy vs. South Africa – Allianz Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 10 a.m. ET – Romania vs. USA – Stadionul Național Arcul de Triumf (Autumn International)
- 10:10 a.m. ET – England vs. New Zealand – Allianz Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 12:40 p.m. ET – Wales vs. Japan – Principality Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 3:10 p.m. ET – France vs. Fiji – Stade Matmut-Atlantique (Autumn Nations)
- 3:10 p.m. ET – Ireland vs. Australia – Aviva Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 10 a.m. ET – Portugal vs. Hong Kong China – Estádio Nacional do Jamor (Autumn International)
Sunday, Nov. 16
- 10:10 a.m. ET – Scotland vs. Argentina – Scottish Gas Murrayfield (Autumn Nations)
Saturday, Nov. 22
- 7 a.m. ET – Georgia vs. Japan – Mikheil Meskhi Stadium (Autumn International)
- 10:10 a.m. ET – Wales vs. New Zealand – Principality Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 11 a.m. ET – Spain vs. Fiji – Estadio Ciudad de Málaga (Autumn International)
- 12:40 p.m. ET – Ireland vs. South Africa – Aviva Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 3:10 p.m. ET – Italy vs. Chile – Stadio Luigi Ferraris (Autumn Nations)
- 3:10 p.m. ET – France vs. Australia – Stade de France (Autumn Nations)
- 10 a.m. ET – Romania vs. Uruguay – Stadionul Național Arcul de Triumf (Autumn International)
- 11 a.m. ET – Portugal vs. Canada – Estádio Municipal Cidade de Coimbra (Autumn International)
Sunday, Nov. 23
- 8:40 a.m. ET – Scotland vs. Tonga – Scottish Gas Murrayfield (Autumn Nations)
- 11:10 a.m. ET – England vs. Argentina – Allianz Stadium (Autumn Nations)
Saturday, Nov. 29
- 10:10 a.m. ET – Wales vs. South Africa – Principality Stadium (Autumn Nations)
France Vs. South Africa Rugby TV Channel
The South Africa vs. France international test match will be broadcast across multiple networks worldwide.
Fans can stream or watch live coverage through the following channels:
- UK: TNT Sports
- USA: Peacock
- Ireland: TNT Sports (Autumn Nations Games) / Virgin Media (Ireland Games)
- Wales: S4C
- South Africa: SuperSport
- Australia: Stan Sport
- New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ
Springboks Game Today
The South Africa Springboks play France today, November 8 at Stade de France. Follow along for scores and live updates.
SA – France Rugby Score
Follow along for live updates and scores as France hosts South Africa at Stade de France on Nov. 8.
European Union Rugby Lives On FloSports And FloRugby
Rugby fans can stream every match from the Top 14, Gallagher Premiership and United Rugby Championship on FloRugby, along with the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, making the platform the U.S. home for the world’s biggest club competitions and the game’s top players.
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
Professional club rugby in Europe all streams on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.
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