{"id":402679,"date":"2025-09-06T12:55:13","date_gmt":"2025-09-06T12:55:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/402679\/"},"modified":"2025-09-06T12:55:13","modified_gmt":"2025-09-06T12:55:13","slug":"france-w-v-south-africa-w-teams-and-prediction-south-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/402679\/","title":{"rendered":"France W v South Africa W – Teams and Prediction – south africa"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

PREVIEW: A few weeks ago, it was widely expected that Sunday\u2019s clash between France and the Springbok Women would be a battle for the top seed in Pool D.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, no one could have predicted that South Africa would be top of the group with 10 points, while France are sitting second with nine.<\/p>\n

However, that is the beauty of sport \u2013 and rugby.<\/p>\n

This Sunday, the Springbok Women will once again be out to cause an upset when they face a very strong France side at Franklin\u2019s Gardens.<\/p>\n

The winner will face the team that comes off second-best between New Zealand and Ireland at Brighton and Hove Albion Stadium \u2013 and vice versa.<\/p>\n

The Springbok Women have been a phenomenon at the World Cup, bagging a 66-6 win over Brazil, followed by a huge 29-24 victory against Italy.<\/p>\n

France have also been in impeccable form, recording wins over Italy (24-0) and Brazil (84-5).<\/p>\n

Ranked fourth in the world, France head into the fixture as clear favourites.<\/p>\n

They have recorded four wins over the Springbok Women \u2013 including a 40-5 win at the previous World Cup held in New Zealand.<\/p>\n

*Article continues below\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Video <\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re top five, always,\u201d Springbok head coach Swys de Bruin told reporters in Northampton.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s an honour for us to play against them, and it\u2019s nice to be the underdog.\u201d<\/p>\n

The two sides are certainly familiar with each other.<\/p>\n

In April, the Springbok Women spent a week at the French national centre in Marcoussis, sharing the training field with France and participating in joint sessions and match simulations.<\/p>\n

The outing has given De Bruin and his coaching team some valuable insight into Les Bleues.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve got a very good scrum, and we\u2019ve got a good scrum,\u201d De Bruin said, adding:<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, that\u2019ll be a good contest.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m challenging Coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt whenever I walk past her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ve got a good line-out. They\u2019ve got a few tall, timber girls there \u2013 lanky ones. So, their line-out is good, and you must be very sharp.<\/p>\n

\u201cFranzel September worked out all the plans for them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe practised against them in Marcoussis, and it was very good.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe really thought there was a massive gap because they were ranked fourth and we were ranked 12th or 13th at the time.<\/p>\n

\u201cHowever, I was talking to someone on the way back and thought \u2013 we\u2019re closer to them than we think. So, that\u2019s a belief I have.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe still respect them \u2013 and they know they are good. Their programme in France is very professional.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrance really puts a lot into women\u2019s sport \u2013 and that\u2019s our next aim: to reach that professional level.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut as I said \u2013 France is a very good team.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

France have made some bold changes in an effort to combat the Springboks\u2019 bruising force.<\/p>\n

Co-head coaches Ga\u00eblle Mignot and David Ortiz have made six changes to the starting XV and opted for a 6-2 split on the bench.<\/p>\n

Manae Feleu and Madoussou Fall Raclot return to the second row, with Brazil match starters Hina Ikahehegi and Ta\u00efna Maka dropping to the bench. Berthoumieu comes in at six for S\u00e9raphine Okemba, and Charlotte Escudero becomes the third France player to wear the number eight shirt in as many matches.<\/p>\n

Loosehead prop Yllana Brosseau, who had to withdraw shortly before last Sunday\u2019s match, has regained her place at loosehead, alongside hooker Rose Bernadou and tighthead Anna\u00eblle Deshaye.<\/p>\n

Joanna Grisez is the only change among the backs from last weekend\u2019s try-fest, coming in for Kelly Arbey for the Pool D decider despite picking up a minor thigh injury in training. Co-captain Marine M\u00e9nager has switched wings to accommodate the Stade Bordelais flyer.<\/p>\n

Pauline Bourdon Sansus and her Toulouse teammate Lina Queyroi continue their halfback partnership. Gabrielle Vernier and Nassira Konde are reunited in midfield, while Emilie Boulard retains the number 15 jersey.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe opted for a 6-2 bench split because against South Africa, reinforcing the pack is crucial,\u201d coach Ga\u00eblle Mignot said, adding: \u201cThat didn\u2019t leave many spots among the replacements, so we had to be strategic.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarine [M\u00e9nager] can cover centre, and Morgane [Bourgeois] can slot into multiple backline positions.\u201d<\/p>\n

France co-captain Manae Feleu revealed the team is not taking the match lightly.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you see how South Africa played against Italy\u2026 we already knew they were solid \u2014 we faced them during the Six Nations this year.<\/p>\n

\u201cPhysically, they\u2019ve really developed, and their rugby has come a long way since the last times we played them. We knew it would be a tough game for Italy.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd for us, we\u2019re well aware that South Africa are a powerful side with real quality \u2013 including strategically.\u201d<\/p>\n

She revealed their plan is to play an expansive brand of rugby and force the Boks to run.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re a slightly lighter team, so we\u2019ll need to move a lot and hold on over the long haul.<\/p>\n

We know the first 20 to 40 minutes will be intense. We\u2019ll have to be brave defensively \u2013 in the collisions and in attack.<\/p>\n

We absolutely can\u2019t let up \u2013 the match lasts 80 minutes. We need to keep moving and shift them around to open up our game.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Prediction:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Rugby365:<\/strong> This is very difficult to predict \u2013 because my heart is backing South Africa.<\/p>\n

However, I have to go with my head. France by four points.<\/p>\n

Teams:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

France:<\/strong> 15 Emilie Boulard, 14 Joanna Grisez, 13 Nassira Konde, 12 Gaby Vernier, 11 Marine M\u00e9nager, 10 Lina Queyroi, 9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus, 8 Charlotte Escudero, 7 Lea Champon, 6 Axelle Berthoumieu, 5 Madoussou Fall Raclot, 3 Rose Bernadou, 2 Agathe Gerin, 1 Yllana Brosseau
Replacements<\/strong>: 16 Elisa Riffonneau, 17 Anna\u00eblle Deshaye, 18 Assia Khalfaoui, 19 Hina Ikahehegi, 20 Ta\u00efna Maka, 21 S\u00e9raphine Okemba, 22 Alexandra Chambon, 23 Morgane Bourgeois<\/p>\n

South Africa:<\/strong>\u00a015 Byrhandr\u00e9 Dolf, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 13 Eloise Webb, 12 Chumisa Qawe, 11 Maceala Samboya, 10 Mary Zulu, 9 Nadine Roos, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Catha Jacobs, 6 Lerato Makua, 5 Anathi Qolo, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Babalwa Latsha (captain), 2 Micke Gunter, 1 Yonela Ngxingolo.
Replacements:<\/strong>\u00a016 Luchell Hanekom, 17 Xoliswa Khuzwayo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Faith Tshauke, 21 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 22 Tayla Kinsey, 23 Aphiwe Ngwevu.<\/p>\n

Date:<\/strong>\u00a0Sunday, September 7
Venue:<\/strong>\u00a0Franklin\u2019s Gardens, Northampton
Kick-off:<\/strong>\u00a016.45 (17.45 SAST; 17.45 CEST; 14.45 GMT)
Referee:<\/strong>\u00a0Clara Munarini (Italy)
Assistant referees:<\/strong>\u00a0Lauren Jenner (Italy), Jess Ling (Australia)
TMO:<\/strong>\u00a0Rachel Horton (Australia)<\/p>\n