France v Springboks | Five tasty Test match-ups

In Marseille

As with any blue-chip Test, there are contests within contests that can and will determine the outcome of the game.

The Boks and the French will be meeting on Saturday (22:00 SA time) for the first time since 2018 and the hosts in particular, have a much changed team as compared to South Africa.

Here are a few match-ups that could determine the outcome of the 45th game between the teams:

Thomas Ramos v Cheslin Kolbe/Damian Willemse/Faf de Klerk

One would ask why French fullback Ramos is paired against three Boks. It's very simple: Goalkicking.

Ramos, despite the presence of Romain Ntamack at flyhalf, is France's primary goalkicker and was the difference for France against Australia last week.

Due to an injury and personal crisis at 10 for the Springboks, they have Willemse at 10, who is not the primary goalkicker at the Stormers.

Manie Libbok is and he's on the bench for the Boks. The 25-year-old will make his debut for the world champions, which slightly eases the load on the starting kickers.

The message from the Boks, who fronted the media this week, has been clear in ensuring that they don't put pressure on the kickers by converting their opportunities.

LIVE | France v Springboks

However, the history of results against Les Bleus in France have been heavily dependent on goalkickers.

In SA's defeats against France, kicking not tries has been the difference.

Thierry Lacroix (19 points), Francois Gelez (27 points in 2001 and 2002), Jean Baptiste Ellisalde and Federic Michalak (11 points) and Julien Dupuy and Morgan Marra (15 points) all made sure France capitalised on tee chances.

Even Bok wins in France, except for the 1997 52-10 mauling of the hosts, have been reliant on accurate goalkicking.

Conditions in Marseille