PARIS (Reuters) - France manager Guy Noves kept faith with the team who lost to New Zealand when he named the same starting line-up to play South Africa on Saturday.
Young halfbacks Antoine Dupont and Anthony Belleau were included on Thursday along with centre Mathieu Bastareaud for the clash at the Stade de France between two nations who bid to host the 2023 World Cup.
France won the vote on Wednesday to stun South Africa who had been recommended to stage the tournament by World Rugby.
France lost 38-18 to New Zealand on Saturday after a dismal first half, their 11th defeat in a row by the world champions.
Les Bleus have lost their last five tests against South Africa, including three by a margin of at least 20 points, but the Springboks were humbled 38-3 by Ireland last weekend.
Team:
15-Nans Ducuing - 14-Teddy Thomas, 13-Mathieu Bastareaud, 12-Geoffrey Doumayrou, 11-Yoann Huget – 10-Anthony Belleau, 9-Antoine Dupont - 8-Louis Picamoles, 7-Kevin Gourdon, 6-Judicael Cancoriet - 5-Paul Gabrillagues, 4-Sebastien Vahaamahina - 3-Rabah Slimani, 2-Guilhem Guirado (captain), 1-Jefferson Poirot.
Replacements - 16-Clement Mayanadier, 17-Sebastien Taofifenua, 18-Daniel Kotze, 19-Paul Jedrasiak, 20-Anthony Jelonch, 21-Baptiste Serin, 22-Francois Trinh-Duc, 23-Damian Penaud
(Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Ed Osmond)
