With less than 10 months to go to the World Cup, hosts France welcome holders South Africa to Marseille on Saturday but the home side are refusing the title of tournament “favourites” despite an 11-match unbeaten run.
As the Springboks prepare to return to France for the first time in four years, take a look back at the infamous moment the South African national anthem was butchered in 2009.
The former Springbok, Bulls and Sunwolves scrumhalf’s team of the best he played alongside and against.
Take a look back at the last time the Springboks were in France, when Bongi Mbonambi sealed a famous second-half comeback with a try after the fulltime hooter.
Faf de Klerk is relying on the Bok pack to help him contain world-class France halfback Antoine Dupont in Saturday’s Test.
Kurt-Lee Arendse is part of a deadly Springbok back three primed to put the French pack on a treadmill in Marseille on Saturday.
Malakai Fekitoa and Simon Zebo are among the handful of internationals who will feature for Munster against South Africa A in Cork on Thursday night.
Ireland successfully defended their world number one status against the Springboks and Jack Conan has called for his teammates not to get complacent.
Manie Libbok could make his Test debut at a crucial period of the match against France on Saturday and the Springboks will allow him to play his natural game if he is called on.
Jacques Nienaber says the Springboks are on guard to avoid being “strangled” by a France outfit that will go into Saturday’s Test on an 11-game unbeaten run.
