Siya Kolisi to celebrate 100th cap as Springboks bring out the big guns for France

It's a massive occasion for Kolisi on a massive night for the Springboks at the Stade de France, and Erasmus has loaded up on firepower for the all-important clash, while continuing to reward the players who have performed for him in key positions all season.

The backline is mostly unchanged from the one that took to the field against Japan, with Cobus Reinach and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu once again combining at halfback, while Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel teaming up in the midfield. With Damian Willemse fit again, he takes his place at fullback, moving Cheslin Kolbe back to the wings, with Ethan Hooker making way.

Up front, Erasmus has selected Boan Venter to replace the injured Ox Nche at loosehead prop, while Thomas du Toit, Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit all return to the starting lineup. RG Snyman moves from the starting team to the bench in place of Kwagga Smith, who is carrying a niggle, with Lood de Jager getting the nod in the second row alongside Etzebeth.

PSdT and Kolisi are joined by Jasper Wiese in the back row, while Malcolm Marx takes his place at hooker alongside Venter and Du Toit.

The Bulls trio of Johan Grobbelaar, Gerhard Steenekamp, and Wilco Louw will serve as the back-up front row, along with locks Snyman, Ruan Nortje, and hybrid player Andre Esterhuizen. Grant Williams and Manie Libbok are once again on hand to provide more attacking firepower in the second half.

"We always planned to make a few changes for this match, and we'll continue to rotate the players throughout the tour, so we can give as many players as possible a chance while at the same time trying to achieve our objectives on the field," said Erasmus.

"This, however, is the team we feel is best suited to what we expect from France, and the way we would like to play this weekend. Many of them have also faced France in 2022 and 2023, so they know what to expect from the hosts and have also had a taste of what it is to play in front of their passionate home crowd."

On Kolisi playing in his 100th Test, Erasmus added: "This is a huge milestone for Siya and we are all delighted for him.

"This is a huge game, and the entire team knows how determined France will be to make up for the World Cup result, so we'll celebrate Siya's achievement after the match. That said, hopefully we can make it a memorable game for him."

With the narrative in the French media and from the France camp being on revenge for what happened in 2023, Erasmus said they were preparing for the match as they do for every other Test.

"France have a quality team all around, with good forwards and backs, and they are a side that plays for the full 80 minutes," he added.

"They will also have a fanatical home crowd behind them, which will inspire them immensely, so we are fully aware of the magnitude of this match, and we know what we have to do on the field.

"The game against Japan certainly helped in getting some of the players back into Test-match mode, and hopefully that will set us in good stead going into this game.

"The key for us is that we have to be accurate in everything we do, make the most of the chances we create, and to keep fighting from the first whistle until the hooter sounds because there is no doubt it's going to be another epic battle between the teams."

Springboks - 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Boan Venter.

Replacements: 16 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Ruan Nortje, 21 Andre Esterhuizen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.