For the first Test against France at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.
– The first Test between South Africa and France took place in Bordeaux on 11 January 1913. South Africa, captained by Billy Millar, won 38-5, scoring nine tries in the process, which is still a Springbok match record for tries against France.
– This Test will be the third match at Loftus Versfeld between the two countries. The previous two, in 1975 and 1980, were comfortably won by South Africa with a combined score of 70-33.
– South Africa’s record against France at home is P: 21; W: 10; L: 6; D: 5; PF: 438; PA: 322; Win%: 48%.
– South Africa’s overall record against France is P: 39; W: 22; L: 11; D: 6; PF: 783; PA: 578; Win%: 56%.
– The total Test caps for the Springbok starting lineup is 265 – 54 in the backline and 211 among the forwards. On the bench there are a further 151 caps.
– The average caps per player in the backline are eight, the forwards 26, and the players on the bench 19.
– The average age of the starting XV is 26.
– The tallest player in the squad is Eben Etzebeth (2.04m) and the shortest Elton Jantjies and Bongi Mbonambi (1.76m). The heaviest players are Frans Malherbe and Steven Kitshoff (125kg) and the lightest players are Andries Coetzee, Ross Cronjé and Dillyn Leyds (85kg).
– In the starting XV, only Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth and Beast Mtawarira have previously played against France.
– Frans Steyn last played a Test for the Springboks in September 2012, against New Zealand in Dunedin.
– Warren Whiteley is the 58th Springbok captain and the 14th from the Lions.
– The following Test debutants will receive Springbok numbers as follows: Ross Cronjé 882; Courtnall Skosan 883 and Andries Coetzee 884. Should Dillyn Leyds be used as a substitute, his Springbok number will be 885. Raymond Rhule has not played in a Test before, but he earned his Springbok number (845) in 2012 while touring with the Boks.
– Elton Jantjies needs 22 points to reach 100 points in Test rugby.
– Frans Steyn needs 18 points to reach 150 points in Test rugby.
Photo: Gallo Images
