Despite World Rugby Rankings, France Has Chance to Prove It's No. 1
Despite World Rugby Rankings, France Has Chance to Prove It's No. 1
France Rugby vs. South Africa is an opportunity for Les Bleus to show they are the No.1 team in the world when they take matches seriously.
The biggest controversy in world rugby this year — Ireland vs. New Zealand red cards aside — came when France chose not to send its top players to New Zealand for the three-match series against the No. 2-ranked All Blacks.
But France had valid reasons.
Days before the first match against New Zealand, the Top 14 Final between Union Bordeaux-Bègles and Toulouse was played. The semifinals were held the week before that.
With the end of the Top 14 season falling so close to July’s international window, even if France had wanted to send its best squad to the Southern Hemisphere, it probably couldn’t.
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It was far more controversial in New Zealand, where commentators called the decision “disrespectful.”
France also has been pretty consistent on not bringing it's top squads to the Southern Hemisphere over the years.
But the All Blacks were lucky France didn’t send its A, or even B side, because they likely would have lost two — and maybe all three — of those matches.
France had chances to win both bookend games in that series.
France beat the All Blacks 30-29 a year ago in the Autumn Nations in Paris.
It was that 0-0-3 record in the Southern Hemisphere that made me a French believer: when France chooses to be the best team in the world, it certainly achieves that goal.
And now, France plays the team that is the best team in the world.
Is France vs. South Africa Rugby the True No. 1 vs. No. 2 Match In 2025?
South Africa and New Zealand met twice in The Rugby Championship. The first match at Eden Park was as anticipated as any in years — No. 1 Springboks versus No. 2 All Blacks, with New Zealand’s historic Eden Park record on the line.
The All Blacks won a close one and briefly returned to No. 1 in the world.
It lasted just a week.
When the sides met again, the Springboks handed New Zealand its biggest loss in history.
The All Blacks have retained the No. 2 ranking since and recently beat No. 3 Ireland in Chicago.
On paper, New Zealand undoubtedly is the second-best team in the world. But France — ranked No. 5 — likely would be in that top-2 conversation, if it had prioritized earning ranking points this summer.
When France’s top lineup last took the field, it beat Scotland 35-16 and was coming off a 42-27 win over Ireland in the Six Nations that didn’t even feel that close.
After drawing with Italy in 2024, France went 11-0-2 before July 2025, with only a one-point loss to England in London and a 33-25 defeat to Argentina in the Southern Hemisphere. France faced Los Pumas again in Paris and won 37-23.
The only the Six Nations loss against England came with France's best players available.
France seemingly has chosen to not care about ranking points with its team selections over the summer, and it's why the reigning Six Nations winners dropped from No. 4 to No. 5 in the latest world rankings
The point: When France rolls out a lineup featuring Thomas Ramos, Damian Penaud, Yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Romain Ntamack — and that’s without even naming Antoine Dupont — it’s one of the hardest teams in the world to beat.
I’ve said it all year: a full-strength France is the best team in the world. Yes, even better than South Africa.
On Saturday, we get to find out.
How To Watch France vs. South Africa
France vs. South Africa will be broadcast live on CNBC and Peacock in the United States.
France vs. South Africa Kickoff Time
France vs. South Africa will kick off at 8:10 p.m. UK / 3:10 p.m. ET / 4:10 p.m. South Africa (SAST) on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025.
France Rugby Lineup
- Baptiste Erdocio
- Julien Marchand
- Regis Montagne
- Thibaud Flament
- Emmanuel Meafou
- Anthony Jelonch
- Paul Boudehent
- Mickael Guillard
- Nolann Le Garrec
- Romain Ntamack
- Louis Bielle-Biarrey
- Gael Fickou
- Pierre-Louis Barassi
- Damian Penaud
- Thomas Ramos
Substitutes: 16. Guillaume Cramont, 17. Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18. Dorian Aldegheri, 19. Romain Taofifenua, 20. Hugo Auradou, 21. Oscar Jegou, 22. Maxime Lucu, 23. Nicolas Depoortere
South Africa Rugby Lineup
- Boan Venter
- Malcolm Marx
- Thomas du Toit
- Eben Etzebeth
- Lood de Jager
- Siya Kolisi
- Pieter-Steph du Toit
- Jasper Wiese
- Cobus Reinach
- Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
- Kurt-Lee Arendse
- Damian de Allende
- Jesse Kriel
- Cheslin Kolbe
- Damian Willemse
Substitutes: Johan Grobbelaar, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Wilco Louw, 19. RG Snyman, 20. Ruan Nortje, 21. Andre Esterhuizen, 22. Grant Williams, 23. Manie Libbok
How To Watch England A vs. All Blacks XV
How To Watch The 2025 Autumn Nations Series
The 2025 Autumn Nations will be broadcast on different networks all over the world. If you live in the USA, you can watch the games on Peacock.
- UK: TNT Sports
- USA: Peacock
- Ireland: TNT Sports (Autumn Nations Games) / Virgin Media (Ireland Games)
- Wales: S4C
- South Africa: SuperSport
- Australia: Stan Sport
- New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ
Autumn Nations 2025 Schedule & Autumn Internationals 2025 Schedule
Saturday, Nov. 8
- 7 a.m. ET – Georgia vs. USA – Adjarabet Arena (Autumn International)
- 7:40 a.m. ET – Ireland vs. Japan – Aviva Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 10:10 a.m. ET – Scotland vs. New Zealand – Scottish Gas Murrayfield (Autumn Nations)
- 12:40 p.m. ET – Italy vs. Australia – Bluenergy Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 12:40 p.m. ET – England vs. Fiji – Allianz Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 3:10 p.m. ET – France vs. South Africa – Stade de France (Autumn Nations)
- 10 a.m. ET – Colombia vs. Mexico – Estadio Cincuentenario (Autumn International)
- 10 a.m. ET – Romania vs. Canada – Stadionul Național Arcul de Triumf (Autumn International)
- 10 a.m. ET – Portugal vs. Uruguay – Estádio Nacional do Jamor (Autumn International)
Sunday, Nov. 9
- 10:10 a.m. ET – Wales vs Argentina – Principality Stadium (Autumn Nations)
Saturday, Nov. 15
- 7 a.m. ET – Georgia vs. Canada – Adjarabet Arena (Autumn International)
- 7:40 a.m. ET – Italy vs. South Africa – Allianz Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 10 a.m. ET – Romania vs. USA – Stadionul Național Arcul de Triumf (Autumn International)
- 10:10 a.m. ET – England vs. New Zealand – Allianz Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 12:40 p.m. ET – Wales vs. Japan – Principality Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 3:10 p.m. ET – France vs. Fiji – Stade Matmut-Atlantique (Autumn Nations)
- 3:10 p.m. ET – Ireland vs. Australia – Aviva Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 10 a.m. ET – Portugal vs. Hong Kong China – Estádio Nacional do Jamor (Autumn International)
Sunday, Nov. 16
- 10:10 a.m. ET – Scotland vs. Argentina – Scottish Gas Murrayfield (Autumn Nations)
Saturday, Nov. 22
- 7 a.m. ET – Georgia vs. Japan – Mikheil Meskhi Stadium (Autumn International)
- 10:10 a.m. ET – Wales vs. New Zealand – Principality Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 11 a.m. ET – Spain vs. Fiji – Estadio Ciudad de Málaga (Autumn International)
- 12:40 p.m. ET – Ireland vs. South Africa – Aviva Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 3:10 p.m. ET – Italy vs. Chile – Stadio Luigi Ferraris (Autumn Nations)
- 3:10 p.m. ET – France vs. Australia – Stade de France (Autumn Nations)
- 10 a.m. ET – Romania vs. Uruguay – Stadionul Național Arcul de Triumf (Autumn International)
- 11 a.m. ET – Portugal vs. Canada – Estádio Municipal Cidade de Coimbra (Autumn International)
Sunday, Nov. 23
- 8:40 a.m. ET – Scotland vs. Tonga – Scottish Gas Murrayfield (Autumn Nations)
- 11:10 a.m. ET – England vs. Argentina – Allianz Stadium (Autumn Nations)
Saturday, Nov. 29
- 10:10 a.m. ET – Wales vs. South Africa – Principality Stadium (Autumn Nations)
European Union Rugby Lives On FloSports And FloRugby
Rugby fans can stream every match from the Top 14, Gallagher Premiership and United Rugby Championship on FloRugby, along with the Investec Champions Cup and EPCR Challenge Cup, making the platform the U.S. home for the world’s biggest club competitions and the game’s top players.
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
Professional club rugby in Europe all streams on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
- United Rugby Championship
- PREM Rugby
- Top 14
- Investec Champions Cup
- EPCR Challenge Cup
- Currie Cup
- Super Rugby
- And more
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.