Guinness Six Nations Grand Slam winners France take on world champions South Africa in a mouth-watering clash in Marseille on Saturday.
Les Bleus have not defeated South Africa since 2009, losing 29-26 courtesy of a last-gasp Bongi Mbonambi try the last time the teams faced each other in 2018.
This year’s edition of the clash is hotly anticipated, with France winning 11 matches in a row and the Springboks ranked number four in the world.
Galthié names unchanged starting XV from Wallabies victory
France head coach Fabien Galthié has picked the same team that defeated Australia 30-29 in Round 1 of the Autumn Nations Series last Saturday.
Late try-scoring hero Damian Penaud forms a back three with Thomas Ramos and Yoram Moefana, with Antoine Dupont again captaining the side and Romain Ntamack starting at fly-half.
France’s other try scorer, Julien Marchand, is named at hooker, with Cyril Baille impressing so soon after serious injury against Australia and Uini Atonio completing the front row.
Anthony Jelonch, Charles Ollivon and Gregory Alldritt make up a powerful back row in what is set to be an incredibly physical contest.
Reda Wardi comes onto the bench in place of Dany Priso, with Bastien Chalureau set to win his first cap off the bench.
Le Roux and De Klerk return to Springboks starting XV after defeat in Dublin
Willie le Roux will start at full-back and Faf de Klerk at scrum-half in two of five changes Jacques Nienaber has made from the side that were defeated 19-16 by Ireland at the Aviva Stadium last weekend.
Le Roux comes in at full-back for Cheslin Kolbe, who moves to his preferred right wing, with Makazole Mapimpi dropping to the bench.
De Klerk will start at scrum-half in place of Jaden Hendrikse, with Cobus Reinach named as a replacement for the first time in the Autumn Nations Series.
There are also three changes in the forwards, with Ox Nche and Mbonambi coming into the front row and Franco Mostert into the second row in place of the injured Lood de Jager.
There are also first squad involvements for Marvin Orie and Manie Libbok, who is set for his first Springboks cap.
France team to face South Africa: 15. Thomas Ramos, 14. Damian Penaud, 13. Gaël Fickou, 12. Jonathan Danty, 11. Yoram Moefana, 10. Romain Ntamack, 9. Antoine Dupont (C), 1. Cyril Baille, 2. Julien Marchand, 3. Uini Atonio, 4. Cameron Woki, 5. Thibaud Flament, 6. Anthony Jelonch, 7. Charles Ollivon, 8. Gregory Alldritt
Replacements: 16. Peato Mauvaka, 17. Reda Wardi, 18. Sipili Falatea, 19. Romain Taofifenua, 20. Bastien Chalureau, 21. Sekou Macalou, 22. Maxime Lucu, 23. Matthieu Jalibert
South Africa team to face France: 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, 1. Ox Nche, 2. Bongi Mbonambi, 3. Frans Malherbe, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 5. Franco Mostert, 6. Siya Kolisi (C), 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8. Jasper Wiese
Replacements: 16. Malcom Marx, 17. Steven Kitshoff, 18. Vincent Koch, 19. Marvin Orie, 20. Kwagga Smith, 21. Cobus Reinach, 22. Manie LIbbok, 23. Makazole Mapimpi
