South African rugby fans are in for a long wait on Saturday before being able to settle down for the clash between the Springboks and France, which kicks off at 22:10 SA time, which is 21:10 CET in France.
That is quite a late kick off in Paris even when considering the slight time difference, but later kick off times are commonplace in France, often due to broadcast and scheduling considerations.
Part of it comes down to a preference for a prime time TV slot in France. The late evening slot is a highly desirable time for major sporting events in France and across Europe, which maximises the prime-time television audience in what serves as a major boost for for broadcasters and sponsors.
This match is also part of a larger schedule of international ‘Autumn Nations Series’ Test matches taking place on Saturday. Staggering the kick off times on such a ‘Super Saturday’ ensures that each major game gets its own dedicated broadcast window without overlapping, allowing fans to watch multiple games and maximise viewership for all of them.
As it is, the games between England and Fiji, and Italy against Australia, both kick off at 19:40 (SA time), and will finish around 21:30.
In short, it’s primarily a decision driven by commercial and audience optimisation for the European market and the overall Test rugby schedule for that weekend, while the French often favour a later kick-off time for high-profile Test matches.
Prior to kick off against France the Springboks will celebrate Siya Kolisi’s 100th Test
Kolisi’s big day coincides with another significant milestone in the team, as Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will guide the side in his 50th Test match as head coach.
Commenting on the build-up to this massive occasion for him personally, Kolisi said: “It’s been a relaxed week. If we were at home, I think it would have been a little different. Obviously, I feel the occasion within the team, but the most important thing for me is what we do as a team tomorrow.
“I’ve been fortunate enough to have my children here and people who have been supporting me over the years, so it has been special in that sense. But the team comes before the individual in our set-up, and if the group does well, the milestone will be special anyway, so we just want to give ourselves the best chance to win tomorrow.”
Delving deeper into his feelings ahead of the game, the Bok skipper said: “I’m very proud and honoured, and I’m grateful to everyone who has played a part in my life because I would not be here without my community and the people of all walks of life who have helped me.
“The foundation of who I am, however, is from Zwide and the wider community. The people there parented me, and the teachers at school believed in me, and it was the same when I went to Grey High School.”
He added: “In the rugby environment, coach Rassie has been immense. He gave me my first contract, and then there was coach Heyneke (Meyer), Allister (Coetzee), who gave me my first start, and Jacques (Nienaber), as well as all my club coaches. I’ve taken lessons from them all. They could have chased me away, but they backed me.
“I’m also grateful to all my teammates from childhood to where I am today, and I carry all of them in each game, along with all the South Africans who expect so much from this team because they’ve seen what we are capable of.
“But I’m not doing it alone. I’m doing it with my teammates and all the people in the wider squad. It’s always a huge honour to wear the Springbok jersey, but to do it 100 times is extra special.”
