South Africa make five changes for France clash

South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber has made five changes to the starting line up for the upcoming clash against France to be played on Saturday.

Willie Le Roux makes a return at fullback pushing Cheslin Kolbe to right wing and Makazole Mapimpi to bench. Kurt-Lee Arendse takes Mapimpi's place on the left wing.

The midfield combination of Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende is unchanged from their previous game defeat to Ireland but Faf de Klerk returns to scrum-half replacing Jaden Hendrikse, who is out of the matchday squad.

While the back row sees no change, Franco Mostert comes at second row joining Eben Etzebeth following an injury to Lood de Jager.

The final two changes sees Bongi Mbonambi and Ox Nche coming in front row joining Frans Malherbe. Stormers back Manie Libbok is in line to make his debut for the Springboks from the bench.

“One of the changes was injury enforced as Lood suffered a shoulder injury against Ireland, while we opted to make a few tactical personnel changes for the challenge that we expect France to pose,” said Nienaber.

“A guy like Cobus will also bring a different dimension to our attack, and it a bonus that he knows the conditions in France and has also played with some of their players.

“France have showed in the last year what a force they can be, and they come off a morale-boosting victory against Australia, so we know what we are in for.

“Facing France, who are ranked second in the world, on their home patch at what we expect will be a full stadium is great preparation for next year, as the players will experience first-hand what they are in for.

“They have a good pack of forwards who pride themselves on their set pieces and talented backs who can spark something from nothing, so they will test us all around."

Team line up:

South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche

Reserves: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Makazole Mapimpi