'One to Savour': The headline match-ups in France v Springboks Test

OPINION: The Nations Championship Test between France and South Africa could be decided by fine margins or a single clutch or game-breaking moment, and each team have several players who would be only too happy to oblige.

We look at five player match-ups that could prove not only entertaining, but decisive as well.

Fullback: Damian Willemse vs Théo Attissogbe

France fans would be setting themselves up for disappointment by focusing on that first-half error under the high ball in Turin.

It was an isolated incident, an oddity really, and Damian Willemse was his typical astute self in that area for the rest of the game.

The utility back’s vision and pace were on full display in the build-up to his try, and his ability to get up to all sorts of trickery in attack and unstructured play is a vital element – in a game like this especially – that is often overshadowed by his aerial mastery.

Attissogbe wasn’t at his best against Fiji, especially in the air and on defence – both areas he usually flourishes in – but when he’s on song, his vision, pace, agility and that chip-and-chase threat make him a marked man regardless of the opposition.

His selection at 15 rounds out a potent back-three, and how he handles his productions in the air against the best in the business will add an exciting element to what is already guaranteed to be an epic clash.

Wing: Kurt-Lee Arendse vs Louis Bielle-Biarrey

We didn’t get the full Kurt-Lee Arendse package in open play against Italy as he didn’t always get time on the ball, but he was still an authority in the air and looked promising whenever he did get a chance.

Nonetheless, with the little he had, he played his role on attack.

His breakaway try from broken play against the All Blacks in Baltimore captured much of what needs to be known about his abilities – an eye for whatever resembles an opportunity to pounce on, and evasiveness and stepping ability that show just why he was a BlitzBok, and that’ll leave opposition defences dumbfounded every time. And then there’s that defence.

He will encounter the ultimate battle of the wings against the top-rated Bielle-Biarrey, who personifies attacking guile, raw pace, support play, remarkable vision and anticipation, and lethal finishing.

This should be one to savour.

Flyhalf: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu vs Antoine Dupont

Flashy. Cocky. Divisive.

Call him what you will, but one thing you cannot call Feinberg-Mngomezulu is ordinary or overrated.

The superstar flyhalf is highly rated in international rugby circles, and for good reason.

He dished up a masterclass against Italy as he scored a scorcher of a try, connected all 10 of his kicks at goal from all angles, routinely terrorised the Azzurri on attack, and kicked a 50:22 so sublime that no amount of finger-twirling could do it justice.

Whether the Boks need a big, momentum-swinging moment or a cool head under pressure, the Stormers conductor can certainly deliver both.

And then there’s captain Dupont.

France’s MVP will start at 10 in the absence of Matthieu Jalibert, Romain Ntamack, Thomas Ramos, and Antoine Hastoy, who are all sidelined through injury.

The level of talent between these two players makes this one the king of match-ups, and Dupont being regularly pushed as the world’s best player by European pundits adds extra spice to this fixture.

He will have to outshine his outrageously talented Bok counterpart before any South African would even consider entertaining that “greatest” tag being applied to Dupont.

He has faced the Boks just three times in his career, and Bok fans will be smacking their lips at the prospect of him going up against several double World Cup winners.

Now that’s a feat that deserves the “GOAT” moniker.

Flank: Pieter-Steph du Toit vs Cameron Woki

One of the few certainties in life is Du Toit producing a tireless outing regardless of what transpires in a game.

Against Italy, he was one of the main men in the collisions and in defence as he topped the Boks’ tackle charts with a total of 12 hits.

His momentum-stopping tackling and defensive breakdown work will be vital against the ample French threats this weekend, especially with a player like the athletic and versatile Moki on the other side.

Whether he’s acting as a jumper at the line-out, hitting rucks, putting in tireless defensive shifts, or using those skills to link with backs, the 28-year-old Woki also possesses a big engine.

But will it hold up against the indefatigable Du Toit?

Hooker: Malcolm Marx vs Julien Marchand

Probably the only introduction that would do Marx justice starts with “the world’s best…”.

Whether you choose to combine that adjective phrase with “hooker”, “forward”, or “player”, you’d have an argument to make regardless of which one you go for.

The 2025 World Rugby Player of the Year has been an indescribable presence for the Springboks, from his breakdown work to his maul mastery and the relentless, bottomless energy with which he performs everything he does; there is no international hooker that comes close to him at the moment.

Marx is the fifth-highest all-time try-scorer for the Springboks, trailing only legendary finishers Bryan Habana, Joost van der Westhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, and Jaque Fourie. He sits in fourth place on the international forwards list behind retired loose forwards Takashi Kikutani (Japan, 32 tries) and Diego Ormaechea (Uruguay, 33 tries), while All Blacks star Ardie Savea (35 tries) tops the list.

But at the rate he’s going – having scored twice against Italy and regularly scoring from the Boks’ devastating maul- it won’t be long before he moves to the top of the list.

He is the complete modern forward.

Marchand is another front-rower who boasts superb breakdown work and dynamic open-field play, making this a delicious battle between two exciting hookers.

Let the maul tries roll.