Boks make switches for France with Libbok on bench
Jacques Nienaber made five changes and two positional switches to the side that ran out against Ireland last weekend to face France this coming Saturday in the spectacular city of Marseille in the shadow of the French Alps in the south of France.
Former Bulls versatile backline player Manie Libbok has been included on the Springbok bench for Saturday’s Test against France in Marseille as head coach Jacques Nienaber named a team showing five changes and two positional switches from the side that ran out against Ireland last weekend.
The second Test on the Springboks’ European tour kicks off at 22h00 (SA time) at the Stade Vélodrome, where Willie le Roux will slot back into the starting team at fullback, which sees Cheslin Kolbe move to the right wing and Kurt-Lee Arendse to the left wing, while Makazole Mapimpi has been named among the replacements.
The other change in the backline sees Faf de Klerk start at scrumhalf in place of Jaden Hendrikse.
Nienaber also made changes to his forward pack, with tighthead prop Frans Malherbe packing down in a new-look front row next to Ox Nche (prop) and Bongi Mbonambi (hooker), while Franco Mostert makes the jump from the bench to the starting lineup to fill the void left by injured lock Lood de Jager.
Other changes amongst the replacements – where the uncapped Libbok has been named in the matchday squad in a Test for the first time – include Cobus Reinach, who will provide cover at scrumhalf, as well as Steven Kitshoff (prop), Malcolm Marx (hooker) and Marvin Orie (lock). Nienaber opted for a split of five forwards and three backs on the bench for this Test.
Springbok team to face France in Marseille:
15 – Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz) – 80 caps.
14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon) – 21 caps.
13 – Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 57 caps.
12 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 67 caps.
11 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls) – 4 caps.
10 – Damian Willemse (Stormers) – 24 caps.
9 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 43 caps.
8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 19 caps.
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 65 caps.
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Sharks) – 72 caps.
5 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 60 caps.
4 – Eben Etzebeth (Sharks) – 107 caps.
3 – Frans Malherbe (Stormers) – 55 caps.
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks) – 53 caps.
1 – Ox Nche (Sharks) – 16 caps.
Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 56 caps.
17 – Steven Kitshoff (Stormers) – 68 caps.
18 – Vincent Koch (unattached) – 39 caps.
19 – Marvin Orie (Stormers) – 8 caps.
20 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 28 caps.
21 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 22 caps.
22 – Manie Libbok (Stormers) – uncapped
23 – Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks) – 34 caps.
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