Springboks player ratings vs France: 2025 Autumn Internationals

Saturday, 08 November 2025 at 23:25

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Springboks player ratings vs France: See how Rassie Erasmus' South Africa came from behind and won in Paris despite playing with 14 men.

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World champions South Africa overcame a red card and a halftime deficit to defeat France 32-17 in Saint-Denis.

The sides met for the first time since South Africa’s 29-28 World Cup win over France, which saw Les Bleus in control for much of the match. This time, France led 14-13 at halftime with two tries from Damian Penaud.

South Africa played much of the second half against 14 men after lock Lood De Jager received a red card for a dangerous tackle. France then went down to 14 after Louis Bielle-Biarrey received a 10-minute sin bin for a deliberate knock-on. South Africa capitalised, with André Esterhuizen scoring from a rolling maul and Grant Williams adding a converted try.

Despite Penaud becoming France’s all-time leading try scorer and a strong start, French indiscipline allowed South Africa to dominate, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Cobus Reinach adding key tries to seal the win.

France (14) 17

Tries: Penaud 2 Cons: Ramos 2 Pen: Ramos

South Africa (13) 32

Tries: Reinach, Esterhuizen, Williams, Feinberg-Mngomezulu Cons: Feinberg-Mngomezulu 3 Pens: Feinberg-Mngomezulu 2

Springboks player ratings vs France:

Player Ratings by Jack Humphreys

Backs

15. Damian Willemse: 6

Cool in cover defence and relaxed under the high ball, he had a strong performance but didn’t set the world alight. He was subbed off after 57 minutes for Manie Libbok.

14. Cheslin Kolbe: 7

South Africa’s tactical setup meant we saw more of his defensive abilities than usual. A key tackle on Bielle-Biarrey just after half-time, when the game was in the balance, was crucial.

13. Jesse Kriel: 7

Had a similar game to his midfield partner but was more impactful in defence.

12. Damian de Allende: 6

Had an oddly quiet game in midfield with little to report and was replaced after 48 minutes.

11. Kurt-Lee Arendse: 5

Caught out by Thomas Ramos’ kick in behind for Damian Penaud’s first try. Otherwise, he had a very quiet game.

10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu: 9

One of rugby’s most exciting prospects, he showed glimpses of his talent tonight. He improved after moving to fullback, where he had more time and space.

His pace, timing, and intelligence were on display for his late try, wrapping around Du Toit at the perfect moment. A subtle pump of the ball was enough to beat the last defender.

If he maintains this level, South Africa may achieve three wins in a row.

9. Cobus Reinach: 8

His first-half solo stunner kept his team in the game. He relished getting under Ramos’ skin, was sharp and physical, and his quick thinking prevented France from going into halftime two scores ahead—a deficit they couldn’t have overturned.

Forwards

8. Jasper Wiese: 9

Led the game with 18 carries and could easily have done 18 more. His physicality drained the French energy and was a key reason South Africa managed to come back despite being down to 14 men.

7. Pieter-Steph du Toit: 8

The former World Player of the Year stepped up when South Africa went down to 14 men. Leading in tackles and doing the hard work for the team, he proved invaluable.
He also took over the captaincy when Kolisi departed and executed every call perfectly—a brilliant performance.

6. Siya Kolisi (Captain): 6

Had a difficult first half as the French pack arguably had the upper hand. Replaced at halftime, Kolisi was average by his high standards, though he rarely has a bad game.

5. Lood de Jager: 3

After an industrious first half, a reckless tackle on a dropping Ramos earned him a red card, ultimately costing his team. With no attempt to wrap and excessive force, the referee had little choice. A player of his quality should have known better.

4. Eben Etzebeth: 5

Fairly inconspicuous in the first half; the French pack seemed to nullify him. Interestingly, South Africa performed better without him on the pitch—a rare occurrence.

3. Thomas du Toit: 8

The World Player of the Year nominee proved why he is considered the best prop in the world, winning two turnovers and remaining unflappable in the scrum.

2. Malcolm Marx: 9

A monster performance from a monster of a man. Played the full 80 minutes, hitting every ruck and ball carrier. A cut on his eyebrow seemed only to spur him on.

1. Boan Venter: 5

Replaced after just 30 minutes—a harsh decision by Rassie Erasmus considering the Springboks had a 100% win record when Venter played.

Replacements

16. Johan Grobbelaar: N/A

Unused substitute.

17. Gerhard Steenekamp: 7

When he came on in the 32nd minute, some eyebrows were raised, but he put in a good shift and shored up the South African scrum.

18. Wilco Louw: 8

Thomas du Toit will always be a hard act to follow, but when Wilco Louw joined the fray, the transition was seamless. Three things are certain in life: death, taxes, and South Africa spawning world-class front-rowers.

19. RG Snyman: 8

Snyman was his usual physical self. He seemed to be at every breakdown, using his huge frame to protect his team's ball or his massive levers to disrupt the opposition. A brilliant 30 minutes from the big man.

20. Ruan Nortje: 8

Another player who does the ugly stuff brilliantly. When Nortje came on, the game was very much in the balance, but his industrious work and command of South Africa's infamous driving maul proved to be the straw that broke French backs.

21. Andre Esterhuizen: 8

Rassie likes to mix things up and get the most out of his players. Esterhuizen impressed as a hybrid forward and back; he looked very comfortable at scrum time, and his brutal carrying seemed to sap what little energy the French had left.

22. Grant Williams: 9

Williams was brilliant when he came on and really upped the tempo just as the French were tiring. His twenty-minute cameo was key, and his try was the first nail in the French coffin, making heads drop.

23. Manie Libbok: 8

While not playing the most expansive rugby we’ve ever seen, Libbok impressed when he came on. He took control of the tempo alongside Williams, and the Springboks looked far more dangerous and in control with Libbok at 10 and Feinberg-Mngomezulu at 15.