South Africa, France make late front-row changes

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus sprung a late surprise to his line-up to face France in the Nations Championship on Friday, switching out his entire front row.

And France coach Fabien Galthie was forced into an even later change, just minutes before kick-off as hooker Julien Marchand, who was making his return from injury, was forced to pull out.

When the official team sheets were published around an hour before kick-off, the three front-rowers initially named on South Africa's bench, hooker Jan-Hendrik Wessels, and props Gerhard Steenekamp and Thomas du Toit, were in the starting XV.

And Erasmus's initially announced starters, props Wilco Louw and Ox Nche, and hooker Malcolm Marx, were now listed amongst the replacements.

It is not the first time that Erasmus has made late changes, with an identical move ahead of the second test against New Zealand in late August.

Then, Louw, Nche and Marx were initially named as starters, only to be demoted to the bench.

Meanwhile, Steenekamp, Du Toit and Deon Fourie found themselves starting.

The world champions went on to win that match 33-26 to level the series at 1-1, before they claimed the final two matches as well.

For France, Peato Mauvaka was promoted to the starting front row, with Maxime Lamothe drafted in on the bench.

TEAMS (15-1)

France

Theo Attissogbe; Aaron Grandidier-Nkanang, Kalvin Gourgues, Yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Antoine Dupont (capt), Maxime Lucu; Gregory Alldritt, Cameron Woki, Francois Cros; Mickael Guillard, Florian Verhaeghe; Sipili Falatea, Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros Replacements: Maxime Lamothe, Rodrigue Neti, Regis Montagne, Charles Ollivon, Tom Staniforth, Esteban Capilla, Axel Desperes, Emilien Gailleton

Coach: Fabien Galthie (FRA)

South Africa

Damian Willemse; Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Ethan Hooker; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Morne van den Berg; Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (capt); Ruan Nortje, Lood de Jager: Thomas du Toit, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp

Replacements:

Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Wilco Louw, Franco Mostert, Cameron Hanekom, Paul de Villiers, Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok

Coach: Rassie Erasmus