South African diplomats were working to rescue 17 South African men from Ukraine's Donbas region where they were engaged in "suspected mercenary activities."

And on Wednesday, the so-called Beaver supermoon rises over the Senegalese capital, Dakar. Thousands of Kenyans, who fought for Britain, are buried in unknown locations and were never commemorated.

South Africa showed all their world champions resilience, storming back from 14-6 down and the first-half sending-off of lock Lood de Jager to crush France 32-17 in a bruising Autumn international on Saturday.

South Africa has taken over leadership of a regional body from Madagascar, which decided to relinquish the role following a military takeover sparked by nationwide protests.

South Africa’s government said on Thursday it will investigate how 17 of its citizens joined mercenary forces in the Russia-Ukraine conflict after the men sent distress calls for help to return home.

France have named a new halfback pairing with Nolann Le Garrec starting alongside Romain Ntamack for Saturday’s test against South Africa at the Stade de France, with captain Antoine Dupont still unavailable after a knee ligament injury.

What is it about this fixture and controversy? Two years since these sides last met in one of the most scintillating World Cup matches of all time, from which South Africa emerged victorious on their journey to global domination,

World champion South Africa overcame a red card and a halftime deficit to beat France 32-17 and hand Les Tricolores yet another stinging defeat. The sides met for the first time since South Africa knocked host France out of the 2023 World Cup 29-28 despite France being in control in the first half.