Springboks vs France - Rassie brings back Faf, Franco and Willie

The match in the French capital is South Africa’s second fixture of their year-end to the United Kingdom and France and kicks off at 22:05 (SA time).

The inclusion of Le Roux, De Klerk and Mostert - with close to 100 Test caps between them - are the only changes announced by coach Rassie Erasmus to the run-on team when he confirmed the Springbok match-23 on Thursday.

Le Roux takes over the No 15 duties from Damian Willemse while De Klerk comes in at scrumhalf to replace Ivan van Zyl, with the rest of the backline kept unchanged.

Mostert replaces Eben Etzebeth, who sustained a foot injury in last weekend’s 12-11 loss to England at Twickenham, in the only change to the pack.

With the availability of the Boks’ European-based players, Erasmus also announced three changes to the replacements. Vincent Koch (prop), Francois Louw (loose forward) and Cheslin Kolbe (utility back) are set to provide impact off the bench.

Teams:

France

15 Maxime Medard, 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Geoffrey Doumayrou, 11 Damian Penaud, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Baptiste Serin, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Arthur Iturria, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 3 Cedate Gomes Sa, 2 Guilhem Guirado (captain), 1 Jefferson Poirot

Substitutes: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Dany Priso, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 Paul Gabrillagues, 20 Mathieu Babillot, 21 Antoine Dupont, 22 Anthony Belleau, 23 Gael Fickou

South Africa

15 Willie le Roux, 14 S’bu Nkosi, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Aphiwe Dyantyi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Warren Whiteley, 7 Duane Vermeulen, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Steven Kitshoff

Substitutes: 16. Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Thomas du Toit, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG SNyman, 20 Francois Louw, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Cheslin Kolb

Bench is patchy. Centres poor. I'm not convinced by Nkosi. I think everything else is fine. Willie and Faf are obviously our two untouchables; Irreplaceable. We'll miss Eben, but the locks should be fine. Mostert's high work rate will be a welcome addition. I hope to see more from Duane. He was eclipsed by Whiteley. Quickly becoming nonessential at this rate. 

Good side. 

Vermeulen should move back to 8, rather play Warren on 7. 

Not a fan of Faf but after last week i am glad to see him back. 

Like the lock pairing, better than the one that started last week. 

Let's see if de Allende can pass a ball this week. 

All in all we should win this one. But then i said the same a week ago..

Listen dimness - there is a very real problem with the locks - Du Toit never was a 4 and Mostert is a powder puff.   I have not seen that poor a Tight 5 in years.   The problems will start with the Tight 5  and that is going to be problematic.

As to the loosies - in the game on Saturday Vermeul en outside of scrumming was the real no 8 - collecting the high kicked balls - etc.   Whiteley made a lot of tackles - but for the rest his contribution was in the main innocuous.

What Louw is doing on the bench is another poor selection,

I would have selected Snyman at 4 -  Schickerling at 5 and Du Toit at 7,  They can then put Mostert on the bench for cover of the locks or to play at 7.   Louw is a serious waste of space.

The backline bench is what I would call absolute BS.    I would rather have had  -

21   Papier

22   Willemse

23   Nel           

"not convinced by Nkosi"??

hahaha

Welcome - Youknowit

Like to see a new member with an indication of making really good comments.   You will see I agree with you about Vermeulen.  

Thanks clevermike

Been reading the comments on here for some time now. Must say there are many rugby supporters with many views on here.. Not a lot of love lost. I am no rugby guru but been following the game for a few decades now. Looking forward to having a few discussions on rugby related things. 

Welcome YKI, what provincial teams do you support ...and any other sports you like?

Welcome YKI.

@ Auge, Nkosi was our best back last weekend and before he was injured, He was having a great start to his International career.

If not for his injury, I think he would be the talk of the town instead of Dyantyi.

I don't think he was our best back. He was good in the air, and looks a decent finisher, but Pollard was our most dominant back. Nkosi also had a few defensive lapses. I'd say Damian made more contributions too. We'll see how he goes. Will probably have more opportunities with Willie back. Both wings didn't get into the game as much as they should have. 

Sbu was on the best Bok on the park last week. His chase of the high ball may better than Dyanti. He has taken to test rugby like a duck to water.

What will happen if Mostert fails on Saturday - will you blame Du Toit as per normal?  

What will happen if Mostert fails on Saturday - will you blame Du Toit as per normal?  

Moz, it almost sounds as if you wish PSDT will fail, just to get amother dig at Maaik. I know you're not tbat petty, but sometimes you make me doubt my deduction skills.

I said if Mostert fails - will you as per normal blame Du Toit?

DbDraad

Rugby is my sport. Top14, Super rugby, ERC and test rugby.

Then i like to follow Tennis, mostly the slams and 1000's. Athletics and some football. Can't seem to get back into watching cricket for some reason, maybe the WC. 

Thanks xavi.

JKI

Very, very nice info,   Enjoy.

Aug

One shouldn't be convinced by either Nkosi or Dyanti or just yet.

What they've learnt and how they adapt is what'll be the deciding factor.

Initial signs aren't awful though :)

Here's what will happen: Mostert won't fail, then Mike will throw a tantrum. After said tantrum, he will devise a most heinous lie, followed by a fiendish, self-satisfied grin. 

Ja, I don't know why they keep on the same bench. Papier has proven nothing and have shown no value when coming in at the depth. England at least has Danny Care that can come in up the tempo. 

But Papier just bumbles around and run into blind allies and throw around poor passess

I personally would have tried something different and maybe give Janjties and Faf a shot

I know Moz, you are Maaiks dog whistle...or post man...he can't help himself...

Mozart

I do agree I go overboard too much.   I am however, differing from you about in particular Du Toit.   He is a much better player on the field of play and it is not only the SA media crediting him - but the media in other countries as well.

Fact is he is worldwide acknowledged as a top class player.  For some reason or another you have for years been against the guy - but that is your problem.

I think it would be better to ignore what you write about him and De Allende.   I have stated clearly that the latter is far from being a perfect center - but the question remains - have we got any better centers available?    Most people on site don't have an answer to that.   AO preaches about Andre Esterhuizen - but he is no improvement on De Allende - matter of fact from an all-round perspective he is much worse.

Kia Ora Youknowit !

Despite all the bleating France did over reffing theres no hiding the fact they are fucking useless ,French "flair " my arse .

Boks to win by a motza no probs.Reckon you guys were hard done by last week .