12 November 2026
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi has dismissed suggestions that South Africa’s recent winning streak against France gives the world champions a psychological advantage ahead of Friday night’s Nations Championship Test at the Stade de France. Speaking at Thursday’s captain’s press conference, Kolisi stated that previous victories hold no weight going into the 13 November clash.
South Africa have beaten Fabien Galthié’s side five consecutive times at the venue, including the 29-28 Rugby World Cup quarter-final win in 2023 and last year’s 32-17 triumph. Kolisi insisted the squad is focused strictly on the present challenge rather than past achievements.
“Every game we take as it comes. What happened last year is gone,” Kolisi said on Thursday. “We’ve changed as a group, and we’ve changed a bit in the way we play, so we don’t get stuck on things that have happened before. We can’t stay there for too long.
“This is a new game, a new opportunity. It’s not the same as what we played in 2023 and in last year’s game. There are a few guys who haven’t played there before. It’s a new challenge, so we’re not stuck on what has happened there. But we also don’t forget how they must feel. We’ve also been there, playing against teams that have beaten us in the past. We move forward to the next game.”
With several members of the matchday 23 playing in Paris for the first time, Kolisi encouraged the newcomers to take in the pre-match build-up before narrowing their focus to the physical contest. The starting XV includes Ethan Hooker, Morné van den Berg, and Ox Nché, while Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Franco Mostert, Cameron Hanekom, and Paul de Villiers are named on the bench.
“It’s like a theatre. I remember playing last year, and the crowd gets really passionate,” the 35-year-old added. “They’re going to experience the atmosphere, and it’s beautiful.
“The way the French do the game-day experience is honestly one of the best I’ve ever seen, so it’s something to feel and enjoy beforehand. But once the whistle goes, then it’s game time. It’s just you and the guy opposite you, and that’s all that matters.”
“There’s also the physical side. We know the French pride themselves on their set pieces and getting over the advantage line, but we pride ourselves on that too, so we know exactly what’s required of us and what our standards are, and that’s all the coaches are asking for.”
Kolisi also said he wasn’t surprised about Dupont’s selection: “He’s played there before for his club, and he played very well. He can play almost anywhere on the field, and he’s a good enough player to do it. No one wants injuries, but every team goes through them, and players end up covering other positions, so it’s normal in rugby.”
The Bok captain was unfazed by how France’s halfback combination, where Dupont will be joined by Maxime Lucu, would affect the match, especially on defence.
“Our system doesn’t change for any team we play against,” he said.
“We’ve watched clips and seen how they play, and we’ve watched how he plays at flyhalf too, so we haven’t done anything special for him individually because he’s playing at No 10.
“Maxime Lucu has also played flyhalf for Bordeaux, so it will happen naturally for them to swap. Antoine wants to be on the ball a lot, and he creates a lot of play on the field, so for him to go to scrum-half will also be natural, and they’ll be able to adjust. That said, our system is prepared for that, so it doesn't matter who we’re playing against.”