France have spent years trying to beat the Boks but belief and bodies are fading

France face South Africa in what is billed as a blockbuster clash at the Stade de France on Friday, part of the inaugural Nations Championship, with the final scheduled for Twickenham in two weeks. The matchup is heavily weighted in South Africa's favour, as the Springboks have won nine of the last 10 meetings between the two sides over 15 years, including the last five in Paris and a quarter-final victory at France's home World Cup in 2023. France's only win in that period came in Marseille in 2022, and coach Fabien Galthié faces the added challenge of an injury crisis heading into the fixture.