Springboks hooker Malcolm Marx has warned that South Africa cannot rely on their impressive record in Paris when they face France on Friday.
The Springboks have not lost in the French capital since 2005, winning their last five visits, including their 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final encounter.
However, Marx cautioned that previous victories would count for little when the two sides meet again, particularly given how closely contested their recent encounters have been.
Four of the last five matches between South Africa and France have been decided by four points or fewer.
“We can't rely on past results to get us through,” Marx said on Tuesday.
“That is the record, but we know how dangerous France are as a team and the threat that they pose, not just their set piece but in all facets of the game.”
Marx identified France's unpredictability and physical forward pack as major threats, highlighting the different attacking approaches they can adopt.
The reigning World Rugby Player of the Year said France's style of play made them an entertaining but challenging opponent.
Meanwhile, France have been dealt a blow by several injuries at fly-half, with Matthieu Jalibert, Romain Ntamack and Thomas Ramos among the players unavailable.
France coach Fabien Galthie is widely expected to select scrum-half Maxime Lucu at fly-half for Friday's encounter.
However, Springboks assistant coach Felix Jones believes France have sufficient depth to cope with the absences.
Jones said Galthie had done well to develop the squad's depth and that the team still had quality players capable of stepping into key positions.
He added that Lucu's experience with his club, Bordeaux-Bègles, meant France would still have a capable option at fly-half.
Jones also pointed to France's unpredictability as a factor that could make preparations more challenging for the Springboks.
Weather conditions could also influence the contest, with the teams preparing for a cold and wet November evening in the northern hemisphere.
Although South Africa have recently focused on developing a more expansive style of rugby, Jones said weather conditions could affect how effectively teams execute their preferred tactics.
He noted that the Springboks had experienced wet conditions during training and acknowledged that the cold, rain and limited daylight could make running rugby more difficult.
The Springboks will therefore need to adapt their approach while preparing for a French side known for its physicality, attacking variety and unpredictability.