SET THE SATNAV FOR TWICKENHAM: Boks and All Blacks Deadlocked to the Millimetre, France Bossing the North — and the Whole Screaming Circus Is Hurtling Towards a South Africa vs France Final on 29 November

REAL FACTS: After three rounds of the inaugural Nations Championship, South Africa and New Zealand are level on 15 log points from three bonus-point wins apiece, with the Boks top of the southern group only on points difference (+81 to +51). France lead the northern group. If the standings hold, South Africa would meet France in the inaugural Nations Championship final at Twickenham on Sunday 29 November, with all 2026 finals staged in London from 27–29 November. In November the Boks travel north to face Italy, France and Ireland. (Sources: SA Rugby Magazine, The South African, Yahoo Sports)

Points difference: the tiniest, cruellest tie-breaker

France waiting in the north like a wine-dark storm

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