Rassie Erasmus makes just two changes for Friday’s Test against France, with Wilco Louw starting and Eben Etzebeth left out.
Rassie Erasmus has named a settled Springbok (1.36) team for Friday night’s Nations Championship Test against France (3.20) in Paris. Wilco Louw moves into the starting front row, while Cobus Reinach joins the bench.
Erasmus Sticks With A Settled Match 23
Erasmus has kept faith with the side that beat Italy 66-7. Louw replaces Thomas du Toit at tighthead, so he joins Ox Nche and Malcolm Marx in the front row. Du Toit moves to the bench alongside Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Gerhard Steenekamp.
The coach said his front rows have played together for a few seasons. Therefore, he made a rotational switch rather than a major change. He also said the team would not rotate too much on this tour.
The backline is identical. Morne van den Berg and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu start at half-back. Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende form the midfield, and Ethan Hooker, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Damian Willemse make up the back three.
Etzebeth Stays Out For Now
Eben Etzebeth did not make the match-23. He joined the squad in France on Monday after recovering from injury. Erasmus said the lock should settle back in this week after time on the sidelines.
Lood de Jager and Ruan Nortje will again start in the second row. They partnered up last week after Salmaan Moerat withdrew in the warm-up with back spasms. Erasmus trusts both men, since they have faced France in high-pressure games and delivered.
Siya Kolisi captains the side, with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese alongside him. Franco Mostert gives the pack extra experience off the bench.
A Bench With Inside Intel
The coach kept the six-two split on the bench. Reinach replaces Grant Williams, and he knows French conditions well from his time at Montpellier. Manie Libbok is the other back. Cameron Hanekom and Paul de Villiers join Mostert in the loose forward cover.
Experience runs deep in this group. Sixteen players featured in the 32-17 win in Paris last year, including the entire starting pack except Nche. Ten also played in the 29-28 World Cup quarter-final win in 2023.
South Africa have won nine of their last 10 matches against France. They have also won their last five Tests at the Stade de France. That record will give them confidence.
What Erasmus Expects
Erasmus expects another intense contest. France lead the north with 17 points and sit fourth in the world rankings. South Africa want to hold top spot in the south. Consequently, he says both teams have everything to play for.
France pushed the Boks to the limit in the 2023 quarter-final and again last year. They also have a loud home crowd. However, the Boks enjoy the atmosphere at the Stade de France. Erasmus said neither side will give an inch.
Ntamack’s injury also matters. Maxime Lucu has taken over the kicking and leads the competition scoring with 47 points. The Boks must therefore stay disciplined and take their chances. The match kicks off at 22h10 South African time and will air on SuperSport.
Springbok Team For Blockbuster Against France
Starting XV – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Lood de Jager, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Cameron Hanekom, 21 Paul de Villiers, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok.
