Springboks team: Eben Etzebeth left out as Wilco Louw starts against France

The Springboks team to face France features Wilco Louw at tighthead prop, with Eben Etzebeth left out of the matchday 23 despite rejoining the squad.

Rassie Erasmus has promoted Louw in place of Thomas du Toit for Friday’s Nations Championship match in Paris. Cobus Reinach comes onto the bench for Grant Williams.

Reuters confirms that the rest of the starting XV is unchanged from the side which beat Italy 66-7 in Turin.

Springboks team to face France

Shirt	Player
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
1	Ox Nche
2	Malcolm Marx
3	Wilco Louw
4	Lood de Jager
5	Ruan Nortje
6	Siya Kolisi (captain)
7	Pieter-Steph du Toit
8	Jasper Wiese

Replacements: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Franco Mostert, Cameron Hanekom, Paul de Villiers, Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok.

The published matchday squad has six forwards and two backs among the replacements. Reinach and Libbok provide the backline cover.

Why Eben Etzebeth is not playing

In comments reported by RugbyPass, Erasmus said Etzebeth had only just arrived in France and would benefit from time to settle back into the group following his spell on the sidelines.

Lood de Jager and Ruan Nortje retain the starting second-row places, with Mostert on the bench. Captain Siya Kolisi again starts alongside Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese in the back row.

The selection continues Erasmus’s preference for a settled side on this tour. The change at tighthead brings Louw into a front row with Ox Nche and Malcolm Marx.

When is France vs South Africa?

The French federation’s fixture schedule confirms Friday 13 November at Stade de France. Kick-off is 9.10pm in France, which is 8.10pm GMT.

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