The Springboks have officially announced their squad set to face France this weekend, an occasion made special by captain Siya Kolisi earning his 100th test cap. However, the team's official portrait and subsequent squad selection have garnered significant public attention and mixed reviews, with many questioning the extent of "transformation" within the national team. This match against Les Bleus will take place at the Stade de France on Saturday, 8 November, marking their first encounter since the intense 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final.

On the eve of the game, SA Rugby released the Springboks' official team photograph, commemorating not only Kolisi's milestone but also Rassie Erasmus's 50th test cap as head coach. Despite these celebratory aspects, a wave of criticism from rugby fans emerged regarding racial representation in the squad for the upcoming match. South Africans voiced their concerns in comments sections, noting the perceived presence of only one black player, Siya Kolisi, in the starting lineup. Comments included: "In a country with a population of +50 million, there is still only one black person who plays rugby," "Good luck, Boys. What happened to quotas?" and "Are there no black people in South Africa?" This issue is not new, as the Springboks faced similar scrutiny in September over a team lineup that featured assistant coach Mzwandile Stick prominently.

While Siya Kolisi is highlighted as the only black player this weekend, the squad does include several other players of colour, such as Kurt-Lee Arendse, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cheslin Kolbe, and Mannie Libbok. The absence of other black players from the squad has also been addressed, with specific reasons cited. Aphelele Fassie and Ox Nche are currently injured, while Lukhanyo Am is on the standby list. Bongi Mbonambi was intentionally left out, as coach Rassie Erasmus wished for him to have a "much-needed break." Additionally, Makazole Mapimpi is serving a five-match ban due to a dangerous tackle committed against an Ulster player last month.

Amidst the public debate on racial representation, Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has consistently maintained his commitment to racial transformation within the national team. Earlier this year, Erasmus was recognized with the Goodwill Award from the FW De Klerk Foundation for his efforts in helping to "unite South Africans." In his acceptance speech, he clarified his perspective on transformation, stating, "A lot of people think when we talk transformation, it’s ‘white out, black in’. Transformation in any other country means change. It became such a nasty word in South Africa…" He further elaborated, emphasizing that their approach was not about exclusion but about building "a database of players who are now playing for the Springboks."