Overview
- Erasmus named a matchday 23 on Monday with only two changes from the Italy win: Wilco Louw promoted to start at tighthead and Cobus Reinach added to the bench.
- Veteran lock Eben Etzebeth was recalled to the touring squad to replace uncapped flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed but was not picked for Friday’s match so he can be reintegrated after arriving in France.
- Ahmed returned to South Africa with a shoulder niggle, a decision Erasmus described as precautionary to safeguard the 20-year-old’s recovery and development.
- France have lost flyhalf Romain Ntamack to a shoulder injury that coach Fabien Galthié said will likely rule him out of the rest of the competition, leaving Les Bleus short in the pivotal 10 role.
- The Boks carry confidence from a 66-7 win over Italy but Erasmus has urged improvement across the full 80 minutes as South Africa head to Stade de France on Friday then Dublin before the Finals Weekend in London.