We take (almost) the same ones and start over.
Fabien Galthié, the coach of the XV of France, will announce the team that will challenge South Africa (Saturday 9 p.m. at the Vélodrome stadium in Marseille) this Thursday at noon.
We should not expect any big surprises in the composition of the group of 23 players selected for this challenge against the world champions, the last great team that the Blues have not yet faced since Galthié's mandate in 2020.
The only absentee this Wednesday on the lawn of Marcoussis for a final high-intensity training: the three-quarter center Jonathan Danty.
The player from La Rochelle is in Charente-Maritime for a happy event: his companion has just given birth to their first child.
The doubt therefore still remains on the participation of Danty, who did not train for the week, in the match against the Springboks.
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In the meantime, it is the Bordelais Yoram Moefana, winger during the match against Australia, who slipped to the center position during training, Matthis Lebel being him with the blue chasuble number 11, that of a holder at the wing.
Pierre-Louis Barassi, the Toulouse three-quarter, has evolved for a time with the holders in the center, but his selection is still uncertain.
The identical pack
For the rest, it's classic, with an identical pack, including the second line Woki-Flament, probably less powerful than that of the South Africans, but more mobile and more airy.
A strong choice, which may change during the match with the presence of the solid Romain Taofifenua on the bench.
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The XV of France will be led by its captain Antoine Dupont to the fray, associated with Romain Ntamack.
Thomas Ramos at the back and Damian Penaud at the wing, brilliant against Australia, will be renewed.
The French backs worked a lot on candles and high balls, a sign that they expect to be "watered" by the game at the foot of the world champions, which records the return to the scrum of Faf De Klerk.
“We talk a lot about the pack, but they are very strong behind too, from the 9 to the wings.
They are efficient, we expect to have third lines in front, ”warns Yoram Moefana, who quotes his springbok vis-à-vis Damian De Allende.
"He's an ox, he's like a number 8 moved to the center, very good in the hand and in the foot.
“What scare the young three-quarters who will discover for the first time the Vélodrome stadium and the South Africans?
“No, we are not afraid!
This promises a good fight against a team that France has not beaten since November 2009.
The probable XV of France
Ramos - Penaud, Danty (or Moefana), Fickou, Moefana (or Lebel) - (o) Ntamack, (m) Dupont (cap.) - Jelonch, Alldritt, Ollivon - Flament, Woki - Atonio, Marchand, Baille.
Replacements: Mauvaka, Falatea, Priso, Taofifenua, Macalou, Lucu, Jalibert, Lebel (or Barassi).
The XV of South Africa
Le Roux - Kolbe, Kriel, de Allende, Arendse - (o) Willemse, (m) de Klerk - du Toit, Wiese, Kolisi (cap.) - Mostert, Etzebeth - Malherbe, Mbonambi, Nche
Replacements: Marx, Kitshoff, Koch, Orie, Smith, Reinach, Libbok, Mapimpi.