SPRINGBOKS vs FRANCE!

Adi Jacobs gets a call-up in place of Munster's Jean de Villiers.

Jaque Fourie will have to lead a changed backline against the French.

South Africa will start off their overseas tour with a classic Test match against France this Friday, November 13th, at Stade Toulouse.

The English press is having a field day following the South African Dirt Trackers loss to Leicester a week ago. This side is traditionally an experimental team made up with some absolute bolters, and some previously capped Springboks.

Coach Peter de Villiers will feature four changes in his line-up this weekend with legends Jean de Villiers and Frans Steyn playing professional rugby in Europe, and hence not considered for selection. Pierre Spies is out injured and I'm not sure where Juan Smith is.

The Springboks to face France are:

Springboks: 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Adi Jacobs, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Schalk Burger, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Victor Matfield, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 John Smit (captain), 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Adriaan Strauss, 17 Wian du Preez, 18 CJ van der Linde, 19 Andries Bekker, 20 Danie Rossouw, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Wynand Olivier.

Date: Friday, November 13
Venue: Stade Toulouse
Kick-off: 20.45 (19.45 GMT; 21.45 SA time)
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Assistant referees: George Clancy (Ireland), James Jones (Wales)
TMO: Graham Hughes (England)