Springbok Watch: Players in the Spotlight v France

Boan Venter

The latest in a long line of surprise selections by Rassie Erasmus, the unpredictable Bok coach went with Venter to replace the injured Ox Nche at loosehead ahead of Gerhard Steenekamp, who most expected would fill the void.

It does make sense, though, given Erasmus has named Steenekamp on the bench alongside Johann Grobbelaar and Wilco Louw to form an all-Bulls back-up front row.

In his first season of Test rugby, Venter has made five appearances for the Boks, starting on two occasions, with his last contributions in the Green and Gold coming in the 67-30 win over Argentina in Durban.

Kolisi To Bring Up Bok Ton In Paris Blockbuster

Siya Kolisi

From Zwide to the top of the world…twice. From an impoverished kid in the townships to the talisman of the Boks and a titan whose remarkable and inspirational rise to rugby royalty transcends sport.

A fresh-faced Kolisi was full of promise and burst onto the Test arena when he replaced an injured Arno Botha four minutes into the clash against Scotland in Nelspruit on 15 June 2013. The then-21-year-old lit up the Mbombela Stadium with a Man of the Match performance to help the Boks claim a 30-17 win.

A 12 year journey in the making 📈

It's been a long road for Siya Kolisi who is set for his 100th Springbok Test in Paris this weekend if he plays 🇿🇦💯#SSRugby | #QuilterNS pic.twitter.com/sLBj2jTRWr

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) November 4, 2025

Little did we know on that fateful day that we’d just witnessed the first international steps of a player who would become an icon, a legendary leader who would help steer South Africa to back-to-back World Cup and Rugby Championship titles, along with a British & Irish Lions series win and a trophy room full of other silverware en route to becoming the consensus greatest captain in rugby history.

A national treasure and a global superstar, Kolisi will on Saturday add to his legacy when he becomes just the ninth Bok centurion, following in the footsteps of Willie le Roux, Eben Etzebeth, Victor Matfield, Bryan Habana, Tendai Mtawarira, John Smit, Jean de Villiers, and Percy Montgomery.

A ferocious flanker with power and athleticism in equal measure and a one-of-a-kind leader whose impact on the game at all levels in South Africa is unrivalled, Kolisi will deservedly take his place in the elite 100-club at the Stade de France and thankfully, still has plenty of gas left in the tank as he eyes an unprecedented World Cup three-peat in 2027.

Pieter-Steph du Toit

The benchmark when it comes to the unstoppable drive and immense physicality that Bok forwards are feared and revered for, Du Toit returns after enjoying a well-deserved breather last weekend.

The two-time and reigning World Player of the Year played a leading role in South Africa’s triumphant Rugby Championship campaign and will take the fight to the French.

The decorated and destructive back-rower is well respected in France, where he has been freshly crowned the premier player on the planet for 2025 by Midi Olympique.

While the Bok terminator appreciates the token of recognition, flattery will get the French nowhere. No, no; expect him to be at his most relentless.

Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu

This is the much-anticipated rematch of the epic World Cup quarter-final at the same venue two years ago. The only backline player who didn’t feature in that classic clash, which the Boks won 29-28, is Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and he’s an absolute game-changer.

The young flyhalf brings a different dynamic to the Boks and is having a banner season. His record 37-point haul against the Pumas in Durban was out of this world and he delivered a brilliantly balanced performance against the Brave Blossoms last weekend.

Starting in such a colossal clash in the Paris pressure-cooker is another great test of the mercurial talent’s mettle, and one you’d back him to pass given his sterling showings since his Bok debut last June.

International Rugby Predictions – 8-9 November

Cheslin Kolbe

Kolbe is almost as beloved in France as he is in South Africa, as it’s there where he evolved into the superstar he is today.

However, he’s also the man who famously produced a one-in-a-million play when he charged down Thomas Ramos’ conversion attempt in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final.

Nervous Les Bleus players and fans will watch the diminutive wizard, who’s back on the wing this week to make place for the fit-again Damian Willemse at fullback, like hawks, knowing he can whip up a crucial piece of magic in a flash.

WOW! #RWC2023 | #FRAvRSA pic.twitter.com/aVj0M4UUyq

— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) October 15, 2023