France XV squad for Championnat des Nations clash against South Africa, Digi Mart USA News (Stade de France, Paris): France will attempt to climb the highest peak in world rugby when they face South Africa at the Stade de France. A year after a dismal second half against the same Springboks, and three years after a quarterfinal that remains etched in the country’s rugby history, the Tricolores will get another chance to beat the team coached by Rassie Erasmus, the reigning double world champions.
Head coach Fabien Galthié has named the 23 players tasked with bringing down the Springboks. There are three changes from the convincing win over Fiji.
Two were forced by injuries, while the third is a strategic choice.
To replace Romain Ntamack, who was injured in the shoulder against the Pacific islanders, Galthié has selected Antoine Dupont to wear the No. 10 jersey. The usual scrum-half of Stade Toulousain will play his first international match at fly-half and his first of the season in that position.
The decision was weighed all week by the France staff, as Maxime Lucu, who finished last week’s match at 10, was also considered.
“This is the best option for us,” Galthié told reporters at a press conference. Dupont is back at his best level this season, having been absent during the autumn 2025 internationals, a development that could change a great deal.
The second key choice is the return of Grégory Alldritt. The Stade Rochelais flanker, who was captain of France not long ago, has benefited from many absences among his rivals to earn a place.
Starting him is a double-edged decision for the number 8, who was left out of the last Six Nations. A strong performance would put Alldritt back at the center of debate less than a year before the World Cup squad announcement.
Those who are absent are not always wrong; the answer will come Friday evening around 11 p.m. local time.
The final change is entirely tactical. Julien Marchand, back from injury with Toulouse last weekend, enters the matchday lineup as a starter, replacing Maxime Lamothe in the 23.
Peato Mauvaka keeps his place on the bench. Otherwise, the lineup is unchanged.
The back three will be formed by Pau’s Théo Attissogbe and Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, whose reliability under high balls will be closely watched, while Louis Bielle-Biarrey will work the other wing. Falatea, Verhaeghe and Guillard are making their second consecutive start.
France starting XV: 15. Attissogbe; 14.
Grandidier-Nkanang, 13. Gourgues, 12.
Moefana, 11. Bielle-Biarrey; 10.
Lucu, 9. Dupont (captain); 7.
Woki, 8. Alldritt, 6.
Cros; 5. Guillard, 4.
Verhaeghe; 3. Falatea, 2.
Marchand, 1. Gros.
Replacements: 16. Mauvaka, 17.
Poirot, 18. Montagne, 19.
Ollivon, 20. Staniforth, 21.
Capilla, 22. Desperes, 23.
Gailleton.
