Stade de France in Saint-Denis in Paris.
- The Springboks may be facing an Irish side in Saturday’s crucial Rugby World Cup game that’s unbeaten in 15 games, but they do so with the comfort of a healthy record at the Stade de France.
- The Boks haven’t lost a Test at the ground since 2005 and remain the last southern hemisphere team to win in Saint-Denis.
- Ireland have a shocking record in Paris, having won only two Tests and drawn one since 2000, despite being regular Six Nations visitors.
- For more sports news, please visit News24 Sport’s home page.
In Paris
The Springboks hardly have foreign fields of dreams, especially in the southern hemisphere, but if they have a home away from home, it’s Saint-Denis’s Stade de France.
The venue for Saturday’s titanic Rugby World Cup clash between South Africa and Ireland takes place at a ground where the Boks haven’t lost a Test since their 26-20 defeat to France in 2005.
After losing their first Test there 20-10 in 2001 under Harry Viljoen, and then again under Jake White four years later, they’ve experienced nothing but sustained joy and success at a ground that’s one of only two to host a rugby and soccer World Cup final along with Yokohama’s Nissan Stadium.
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They won all three of their games at the ground in 2007 when they beat England 36-0 in the pool stages and 15-6 in the final, and Argentina 37-13 in the semi-finals on their way to collecting a second world title.
They’ve been successful in subsequent visits against France in Paris, with wins in 2013 (19-10), 2017 (18-17) and 2018 (29-26). Last year’s 30-26 defeat came in Marseille.
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick isn’t one for the history books, but with a World Cup being neutral, he was quick to point out SA’s success in the commune that’s north of Paris.
“If you look at the history of this ground, in 2007, this is where we won the World Cup,” Stick said.
“We have a good record here and I’ll never forget our former president, Thabo Mbeki, lifting the trophy with John Smit.
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“I was a supporter and I’ll never forget those images, and we won the last game we played here against France when Bongi Mbonambi scored late in the game.”
France are starting to build up a decent head of steam at the ground, with wins for visiting teams getting thinner by the year.
The last visiting team to win at the Stade de France was Scotland in the 2021 Six Nations, with the southern hemisphere teams in Australia and New Zealand last winning there in 2016 and 2017, respectively.
Springbok captain John Smit and coach Jake White celebrating the 2007 Rugby World Cup win at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis.
News24 Gallo Images
Ireland have quite the torrid record in Paris, with only two wins (15-13 in 2018 and 27-25 in 2000) and a draw (2012) there in the past 23 years.
The 2007 World Cup also held no joy for Ireland, with a 25-3 loss at the Stade de France against the hosts and a 30-15 loss at the Parc des Princes against Argentina leading to a pool stage exit.
However, Ireland’s star loose forward Josh van der Flier is part of a new group of players who are unencumbered by their difficult travels to France.
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The Champions Cup has made it easier, but with the game being neutral and Ireland being closer to France than it is to South Africa, he’s expecting the Stade de France to be a bit more like Lansdowne Road.
“It’s absolutely incredible. These are the games you want to be playing at, at an unbelievable stadium here at the Stade de France,” Van der Flier said.
“I have played here a few times now, with a few Irish fans but mostly French fans. It will be even more special playing tomorrow (Saturday).
Springbok hooker Bongi Mbonambi celebrating his winning try in the 29-26 win against France at the Stade de France in 2018.
News24 Steve Haag/Gallo Images
“It’s every kid’s dream to get to play in front of that many Irish fans at a World Cup in a stadium like this, against a team like South Africa.
“It’s a dream come true, and everyone is incredibly excited.”
The game will take place to the backdrop of Antoine Dupont’s facial injury he sustained when he clashed with Namibia’s Johan Deysel on Thursday.
Teams
Ireland
15 Hugo Keenan, 14 Mack Hansen, 13 Garry Ringrose, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 James Lowe, 10 Johnny Sexton (captain), 9 Jamison Gibson-Park, 8 Caelan Doris, 7 Josh van der Flier, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 James Ryan, 4 Tadhg Beirne, 3 Tadhg Furlong, 2 Ronan Kelleher, 1 Andrew Porter
Substitutes: 16 Dan Sheehan, 17 David Kilcoyne, 18 Finlay Bealham, 19 Iain Henderson, 20 Ryan Baird, 21 Conor Murray, 22 Jack Crowley, 23 Robbie Henshaw
South Africa
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Cheslin Kolbe, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Steven Kitshoff
Substitutes: 16 Deon Fourie, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Jean Kleyn, 20 RG Snyman, 21 Marco van Staden, 22 Kwagga Smith, 23 Cobus Reinach
France’s electric halfback and captain, who is the heart and soul of the tournament, faces a four-to-six-week spell out of the game after undergoing surgery on his fractured cheekbone.
Stick, understandably so, kept the focus on the game, but said Dupont’s injury makes the tournament slightly poor.
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“Irrespective of who we play in the quarter-finals, our main focus is the game on Saturday,” Stick said.
“Dupont has been the World Player of the Year and it is very sad for the French people to lose a world class player like that.
“We wish him a speedy recovery and all the best. But it doesn’t matter who we play in the quarter-finals.”
Kick-off in Saturday’s game is at 21:00
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