Erasmus opts for experience as Boks trio return

Rassie Erasmus has outlined the need for experience when South Africa travel to France, with Willie le Roux, Faf de Klerk and Franco Mostert back in the XV.

The Springboks were edged out 12-11 in England last weekend, but they have a trio of European-based seasoned campaigners returning to the side in Paris.

Le Roux replaces Damian Willemse while De Klerk is in for Ivan van Zyl, with the rest of the backs unchanged from a team that relied solely on domestic players.

The only change to the forward pack sees Mostert come in as Eben Etzebeth is not risked following a foot injury at Twickenham.

Director of rugby Erasmus insists the outgoing players did nothing wrong and he simply preferred to turn to men who know the Test stage well.

“It’s good to have the experienced players back in the starting team for France,” he said. “I thought Damian and Ivan did very well last week against England, but you need as much experience as possible playing away from home.

“We are building squad depth for the Rugby World Cup and they will be back in the mix as the tour progresses.

“We believe it would be better not to rush Eben back as we still have two Tests left on the tour after the match against France.”

Check out the Springbok team to face @FFRugby at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday and let us know your thoughts on the team! #boksontour #loverugby pic.twitter.com/MQ5jCYVBSp

— South African Rugby (@Springboks) November 8, 2018

South Africa XV to play France: Willie le Roux, Sbu Nkosi, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Aphiwe Dyantyi, Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk; Steven Kitshoff, Malcolm Marx, Frans Malherbe, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Franco Mostert, Siya Kolisi, Duane Vermeulen, Warren Whiteley.

Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Francois Louw, Embrose Papier, Elton Jantjies, Cheslin Kolbe.

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