Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has confirmed a near-identical match-day squad for the upcoming Nations Championship encounter against France in Paris. According to Daily Maverick, only two changes have been made to the 23-man selection that secured a 66-7 victory over Italy in Turin last week. Cobus Reinach has been moved to the bench in place of Grant Williams, while Wilco Louw has been elevated to the starting lineup. Thomas du Toit remains part of the reserve group, bringing the total caps for the selected players to 1,165.

Erasmus has prioritised consistency over rotation, choosing 21 of the 23 players who featured in the previous round. This decision comes as the Springboks aim to secure their tenth win in their last 11 matches against France. The team has won all four of its matches in the tournament so far, accumulating a maximum of 20 log points and a points difference of +140. New Zealand, also undefeated in the same group, holds a points difference of +73. Erasmus is targeting a four-try bonus point win to ensure qualification for the inaugural Nations Championship final at Twickenham.

The coach has shifted his strategic focus following the completion of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series against the All Blacks, which the Springboks won 3-1. Earlier in the year, Erasmus had downplayed the importance of the Nations Championship, viewing it as secondary to the RGR series and preparation for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. However, with the RGR series concluded, the Nations Championship has moved up the priority list. Erasmus noted that the team is treating the final four matches as a mini-World Cup, mirroring the intensity expected in the knockout stages of the global tournament next year.

Regarding the short turnaround, Erasmus explained that the Springboks effectively have a seven-day preparation window because they played their Italy match in the afternoon and flew directly to France. He contrasted this with France, which played its previous match at 9pm on Saturday. Erasmus also addressed the perception that the Springboks are favourites due to French injuries, noting that several key Springbok players are also absent or returning to fitness. He emphasised that the team is not complacent and expects France to play a faster style of game despite their current squad composition.