France v South Africa: A must-win game for both teams

Under-pressure South Africa and France go head to head this Saturday at the Stade De France. Both teams are struggling for form of late with South Africa recording heavy defeats against Ireland and New Zealand, while France were whitewashed by the Springboks before their recent defeat to New Zealand.

South African coach Allister Coetzee is under increasing pressure with his selections and tactics being questioned in light of recent results.

South Africa suffered their worst ever season in 2016, losing eight of 12 international matches while 2017 has seen them suffer an all-time record defeat 57-0 at the hands of New Zealand in September, before last week going down to their heaviest loss to Ireland, 38-3.

Added to that, they discovered on Wednesday they had missed out on the right to host the 2023 World Cup to France in what has been a tough time for South African rugby.

The Springbok coach is focusing on improvement rather than revenge on Saturday evening, the 54-year-old coach said "Obviously losing the bid, it's not ideal for a country like South Africa, we would have loved to be having that opportunity, it would've been massive for our country.

"We accept the result, but for us as a team we focus on the Test this week. It won't motivate us necessarily differently. We've got a plan and we'd like to go and execute our plan and perform - that's our job, we need to play well.

"We've got what I would say is a very improved French team that will come out. In a way both teams are desperate this weekend to get a result and that's what we're facing."

Coetzee has made four changes to the starting side which collapsed in the final 10 minutes against Ireland, one of these changes means Toulon No 8 Duane Vermeulen starts.

South African captain Eben Etzebeth is happy to see Vermeulen back and stated "He's an exceptional option at the lineout. We all know Duane's a world-class No 8. He's a good ball carrier, tackler, stealer.

"Also, he's captained Toulon. He gives great leadership out on the field, so yes, it's awesome to have him back."

Malcolm Marx, the young Lions hooker who has made impressive start to his Test career, felt the 37-cap loose forward has already made an impact: "Lood de Jager makes the calls and Pieter-Steph being out is a loss but Duane came in and did the same thing. Obviously he brings a big part of experience in here, he knows exactly what he's doing.

"It doesn't make my pressure any more or any less, I've just got to focus on my own job and get the ball in and out."

France have had a torrid time since Guy Noves took over the national side. Taking over the reins after the Rugby World Cup in 2015, Noves has a win record of 37%. He will be looking to improve this against South Africa and Japan the following week.

Noves has picked the same starting side that lost 38-18 to New Zealand. He warned his players they are under pressure from those who featured in the French XV that lost only 28-23 to a second string New Zealand in Lyon on Tuesday.

Noves, in referring to the All Blacks defeat, said: "I don't know if they should be looking for revenge or simply to show the side they did a bit more intelligently in the second half."

France 'won' the second period 13-7 having been blown off the park in a scintillating first 40 minutes by the tourists.

The former Toulouse coach stated: "I expect them to lift themselves and come off the pitch, as their pals did (on Tuesday), with their heads held high."

Noves made only one change to his bench with uncapped prop Sebastien Taofifenua replacing Raphael Chaume, who was injured on his debut against New Zealand.

Something has got to give for one of these coaches in Paris on Saturday.

France: 15 Nans Ducuing; 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 Geoffrey Doumayrou, 12 Mathieu Bastareaud, 11 Yoann Huget, 10 Anthony Belleau, 9 Antoine Dupont; 1 Jefferson Poirot, 2 Guilhem Guirado (c), 3 Rabah Slimani, 4 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 5 Paul Gabrillagues, 6 Judicael Cancoriet, 7 Kevin Gourdon, 8 Louis Picamoles

Replacements: Clement Maynadier, Sebastien Taofifenua , Daniel Kotze, Paul Jedrasiak, Anthony Jelonch, Baptiste Serin, Francois Trinh-Duc, Damian Penaud

South Africa: 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Ross Cronje; 1 Tendai Mtawarira, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Wilco Louw, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Francois Louw, 7 Siya Kolisi 8 Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff, Trevor Nyakane, Franco Mostert, Dan du Preez, Rudy Paige, Elton Jantjies, Damian de Allende