Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has opted for continuity, retaining most of the squad that demolished Italy 66-7 as South Africa prepares for a highly anticipated Nations Championship clash against France in Paris on Friday night.
The match, scheduled for 22:10, will be the Springboks’ second Test in the Nations Championship Northern Series, with Erasmus making just two changes to the 23-man squad that delivered an emphatic victory over Italy.
Tighthead prop Wilco Louw has been promoted to the starting line-up, while scrumhalf Cobus Reinach has been included on the bench.
Erasmus said the decision reflected the team’s original plan to avoid excessive rotation during the tour and maintain consistency as the competition progresses.
“We said from the outset that we would not rotate too much on this tour, so it was always our intention to select a settled squad for this game to build momentum in the competition,” said Erasmus.
He added that several players were already familiar with the challenge of facing France on home soil and understood the intensity of playing in front of the passionate French supporters.
Erasmus confident in squad’s preparation
The Springbok coach also expressed confidence in his players’ match readiness, noting that most members of the squad had accumulated sufficient game time.
He highlighted that Japan-based players, including Jasper Wiese, Jesse Kriel, Ruan Nortje and Malcolm Marx, were particularly fresh heading into the encounter.
Despite the demanding travel schedule following their victory over Italy, Erasmus dismissed concerns about fatigue affecting his team.
The Springboks played Italy at an unusual 13:00 kick-off before travelling directly to France.
“We don’t feel the game was so taxing. We also played at 1pm, and then we flew straight to France from Italy,” Erasmus explained.
He acknowledged that France had played later in their previous match but maintained that the Springboks were well prepared for the challenge.
France seeking revenge against the Springboks
Erasmus expects an intense contest against a French side determined to respond following painful defeats against South Africa.
The Springboks famously eliminated France from the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-finals in Paris before securing another narrow victory over the French during last year’s Castle Lager Outgoing Tour.
The coach warned that those results would add extra motivation for the hosts.
“Matches between us and France are always intense, and this week will be no different,” he said.
Both teams have significant ambitions in the Nations Championship, making Friday’s encounter particularly important as they seek to strengthen their positions in their respective hemisphere standings.
France currently occupy fourth place in the world rankings and will have the backing of their passionate home supporters at the Stade de France.
However, Erasmus believes the Springboks will relish the atmosphere and are prepared for a fiercely contested battle.
The coach expects neither side to give ground easily as the two rugby powerhouses compete for valuable momentum heading towards the competition’s final stages.
With the Springboks carrying confidence from their commanding victory over Italy, all eyes will be on Paris to see whether Erasmus’s decision to maintain a settled squad delivers another important result.
