Quilter Nations Series: Key talking points from Springboks’ win over France in Siya Kolisi’s 100th game
South Africa’s 14-man Springboks produced a remarkable second-half surge to beat France 32-17 at the Stade de France on Saturday, November 8, extending their dominance over Les Bleus and compounding France’s frustrations following their 2023 Rugby World Cup heartbreak.
In a contest marking captain Siya Kolisi’s 100th Test, France had hoped to spoil the Springbok skipper’s milestone and send the world champions packing to Turin with a defeat.
But a flat second-half display, marked by unforced errors and a lack of attacking intent, proved costly as Rassie Erasmus’ side once again demonstrated why they remain rugby’s ultimate benchmark.
Sports News Blitz’s Aidan Leo assesses the standout moments and key talking points in the aftermath of the Springboks’ commanding performance and statement win in Paris against France.
Springboks cement their place at the top
Erasmus’ men departed the Stade de France with smiles that told the story - they are not only France’s bogey team but also remain head and shoulders above the rest of the rugby world.
France were billed as South Africa’s toughest Test of the 2025 calendar and arguably remain the game’s next-best side.
Their strong first half showed why, but lapses in execution and poor game management ultimately let them down.
While the Boks endured defensive lapses, notably the two tries from French winger Damian Penaud, their composure and resilience under pressure shone through.
A moment of brilliance from veteran scrum-half Cobus Reinach, whose sharp break and chip ahead evoked memories of Ricky Januarie’s iconic 2008 Tri-Nations try against the All Blacks, set the tone for the Springboks’ fight-back in the first half to remain in the contest.
MORE FOR YOU: British & Irish Lions news: The top five Lions players of all time
Red card resilience and tactical mastery
France briefly fancied their chances when lock Lood de Jager was red-carded for a hit on full-back Thomas Ramos late in the first half.
Yet, Erasmus’ in-game management proved to be decisive.
Rookie prop Boan Venter was withdrawn around 31 minutes for Gerhard Steenekamp, whose introduction added assertiveness to the scrum and gave South Africa renewed forward dominance and mobility around the park.
Kolisi then had to make way for Ruan Nortje at the half as a result of the red card to preserve lineout balance and pack stability, while RG Snyman’s impact off the bench added dynamism in the place of Eben Etzebeth, who departed early in the second half.
The French, by contrast, squandered their advantage.
A series of dropped balls, misfiring attacks, and an ineffective bench blunted their momentum. Erasmus’ substitutions brought precision and energy; Galthié’s did not.
Erasmus’ innovation: Esterhuizen the ‘hybrid’
One of the main tactical talking points ahead of the game was Erasmus’ bold decision to deploy André Esterhuizen as an auxiliary openside flanker.
The bruising centre, now dubbed a “hybrid player,” replaced Kwagga Smith’s role in the matchday squad, and was outstanding in his work with the forwards and in the midfield when required.
Esterhuizen’s try from a maul epitomised his value, while his dual role, scrummaging as a flanker in attack and defending as an inside centre on French feeds, helped the Boks absorb the numerical disadvantage.
Remarkably, South Africa’s seven-man scrum not only held firm but occasionally drove the French off their own ball.
The tactical creativity paid off, narrowing France’s attacking channels and keeping the French’s creative spark in Ramos largely out of influence in the second half, after he had assisted both of Penaud’s tries in the first.
Bench impact seals the win
As the hour mark approached, Erasmus introduced Grant Williams to add zip around the fringes, and the scrum-half later capitalised - sniping through the defence after a dominant maul at the French five-metre line.
The arrival of Manie Libbok added balance to South Africa’s attack, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu shifting to full-back to inject more width and pace.
The two combined in stunning fashion late on, with Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s try silencing the Parisian crowd, sealing a memorable Springbok triumph.
ALSO ON SNB: Newcastle Utd analysis: Five reasons why Eddie Howe’s Magpies are struggling away from home
Galthié’s gamble falls flat
For Fabien Galthié and his side, this will feel like another opportunity squandered.
His attempt to mimic the Boks’ “Bomb Squad” bench strategy failed to produce offensive impact or defensive intensity.
As France’s forwards faded, the backs lost structure and composure, and the side lost the territorial success they enjoyed earlier in the contest.
It was, in essence, a contest decided in the “championship rounds” - the final 20 minutes where elite teams like Erasmus’ Boks and the All Blacks of old find another gear to win games.
South Africa did, and France couldn’t live with them.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu: The star that continues to shine
While Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s performance was uneven at times, flashes of his natural brilliance were impossible to miss.
His poise, skill, and fearless decision-making suggest South Africa’s next generational playmaker is emerging before our eyes.
Surrounded by legends and backed by Erasmus’ trust, the 23-year-old looks set to become one of the sport’s next greats - one to carry the mantle to grow the sport further.
His rise, much like Kolisi’s, feels inevitable, and his potential ceiling… limitless.
Kolisi’s 100th: A captain for the ages
No report from Paris could end without a word for the legend that is Siyamthanda Kolisi.
From his Man of the Match debut off the bench against Scotland in 2013 to lifting two Webb Ellis Cups, Kolisi’s journey has transcended sport.
A century of Test caps is a testament to his resilience, humility, and influence - both as a player and as a leader.
Under his and Erasmus’ leadership, South Africa have built an empire of belief, unity, and unrelenting excellence.
As the Springboks eye a potential third consecutive World Cup triumph in 2027, Kolisi’s legacy is already secured among the greatest captains the game has ever seen.
For now, South Africa march on - world champions, standard-setters, and France’s enduring tormentors.
READ NEXT: NFL Week 11 preview: Heavyweights face off as playoff race intensifies
