Erasmus sticks with settled Springbok side for France showdown in Paris

Wilco Louw comes into the starting front row at tighthead, joining Ox Nche and Malcolm Marx in an imposing trio that will look to dominate the scrums.

Thomas du Toit moves to the bench as an option to reinforce the set piece in the second half. The only other change is on the replacements' bench, where scrumhalf Cobus Reinach comes in for Grant Williams.

Lood de Jager and Ruan Nortje again form the second-row partnership after the duo were paired in Italy following Salmaan Moerat's injury withdrawal during warm-ups, with captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese making up the back row.

Eben Etzebeth, who landed in France only on Monday morning, is not in the squad and Erasmus revealed the lock needs the week to get back into the rhythm of the Springbok environment.

"Eben just arrived in France, and although we know what he brings to the team, but we feel it would be better for him to get back into the swing of things this week after some time on the sidelines," Erasmus said.

"Lood and Franco are also very experienced players and they have been training with us for almost two weeks now after arriving in Italy the week prior to last week's Test match. They've both faced France in high pressure matches and delivered, so we know what we have in them and what they will bring to the team this week."

The backline is identical to the one that tore Italy apart, with Morne van den Berg and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu at halfback, Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende are in midfield, and Ethan Hooker, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Damian Willemse form the back three.

The bench keeps its split of six forwards and two versatile backs in Reinach, who can cover scrumhalf and wing, and flyhalf Manie Libbok, who can also cover at fullback if needs be.

Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Franco Mostert, Cameron Hanekom and Paul de Villiers are the forwards that will look to impact the second half.

"Matches between us and France are always intense, and this week will be no different," said Erasmus.

"Both teams have everything to play for, with France leading the northern hemisphere standings and the team being ranked fourth in the world, and we are in a similar situation trying to hold onto the top spots in the respective Nations Championship hemisphere tables.

"This match is vital for both sides to try to advance to the final of the competition in a few weeks.

"They also always have a passionate crowd behind them that will definitely fuel their team, but we also enjoy the atmosphere at Stade de France, so neither team will give an inch.

"Our focus though is on what we want to do as a team, so it will be vital to execute our game plan accurately and make the most of the point-scoring chances we create.

"They have a good pack of forwards and dangerous backs, so we need to be at our best to get the desired result."

Springbok team to face 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

Replacements: 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