The national rugby union teams of France and South Africa (the Springboks) have been playing each other in Test rugby since 1913. Their first meeting, held in Bordeaux, was on 11 January 1913, and was won 38âÂÂ5 by South Africa.
France and South Africa have met twice in the Rugby World Cup, both in the knockout stages, and both being hard-fought games with close results. South Africa has won both meetings, and went on to win the cup on both occasions. In the 1995 Rugby World Cup held in South Africa, they met in the semifinal, with South Africa winning 19âÂÂ15 in the rain.
In the 2023 Rugby World Cup held in France, South Africa met France in the quarterfinals, with South Africa winning 29âÂÂ28 in what is regarded as one of the greatest matches in World Cup history.
<small>Note: Date shown in brackets indicates when the record was or last set.</small>