South Africa has played against France in a World Cup just… once!
It almost doesn’t seem possible, considering they are two major rugby-playing nations.

That particular encounter – the rain-soaked, water-logged semi-final of the 1995 World Cup – has gone down in rugby history. The match, delayed by an hour due to heavy rain and violent storms, was played in drenched Durban, at King’s Park Stadium. Every effort was made to play as the Springboks would have been eliminated on points difference had the match been abandoned.

The encounter saw Springbok fullback André Joubert dubbed the ‘bravest man in rugby’ for playing with a broken hand. There was so much water on the field some feared players would drown if they got stuck in a ruck or maul. In the end, South Africa won 19–15, with no shortage of controversy over what the French still believe was a try close from time.

Fast forward
There is a good chance South Africa will play France this year at some stage – that is if all goes according to plan. If the Springboks top their pool and the Tricolours finish second in theirs, then they will face off in the quarter-finals. Defending champions vs host nation. Of course, this is far from certain as the Springboks have Ireland and Scotland in their pool and victories over these two nations cannot be assumed. France, meanwhile, have New Zealand in their pool.

With the hosts playing some special rugby at the moment, it’s an interesting situation the Boks find themselves in. The quarter-final match may well be the most difficult one they play. There is also the chance South Africa may have to play New Zealand in the quarters and, if all goes well, face France in the final.

World Cups have a habit of throwing up unpredictable results, so let’s see.

Viva la Boks
While Springbok fans are wondering if South Africa will ever host a World Cup again, the French have their second tournament in 16 years. South Africa hosted in 1995 and has not had a look-in since. Seems a little unfair. Maybe, but the Boks won’t mind too much as France has been good to them, with a 15–6 victory in the 2007 World Cup final at Stade de France, against old foes England.

History
South Africa and France have been playing each other in Test rugby since 1913.
Their first meeting, held in Bordeaux, was on January 11 in 1913 and was won 38–5 by South Africa.

Overall
The two teams have met 45 times in Test rugby, with South Africa winning 27 times and France 12. There have been six draws. Their last encounter was in November, with France winning 30–26.

At a glance: SA’s World Cup track record
1995 Final: Beat New Zealand 15–12 deep into extra time. Storybook stuff, emotions at an all-time high. Cue Joel Stransky’s drop-goal, Nelson Mandela and Francois Pienaar.

1999 Semi-finals: Lost to Australia in extra-time, 27–21. Victory denied by Stephen Larkham’s drop goal. Very tough pill to swallow as it came shortly after the infamous Klusener–Donald run-out in the Cricket World Cup.

2003: Quarter-finals: Lost to New Zealand, 29–9. That was time of Kamp Staaldraad. Best forgotten, maybe, or did it breed toughness that saw SA go on to better things?

2007: Final: Beat England, 15–6, having also routed them in the pool stage. Francois Steyn landed some long-range kicks that had the crowd in awe.

2011: Quarter-finals: Lost to Australia, 11–9. Remember the infamous Bryce Lawrence scandal, where he seemingly blew SA out of the game? Truth is, they should have been good enough to win despite this.

2015: Semi-finals: Lost to New Zealand 20–18. However, this is the World Cup the Springboks are remembered for due to their embarrassing loss to Japan in the pool stage. What is often forgotten is how close SA came to beating NZ in that semi-final.

2019: Final: Beat England 32–12 in arguably our best World Cup game ever. Thrills, tears and emotional highs as Makazole Mapimpi ran in the Boks’ first try in a final, with Cheslin Kolbe providing a dazzling finishing touch near the end.