Dreyer gets debut as Boks test tightheads

South Africa will face France in their third and final rugby Test at Ellis Park with four changes to the side including a debut for prop Ruan Dreyer.

South Africa have handed prop Ruan Dreyer a first cap after including him among four changes in the team to face France in their third and final Test.

Jesse Kriel returns at centre for Saturday's clash at Ellis Park after sitting out the second Test because of concussion and Francois Hougaard and Jean-Luc du Preez come in as injury replacements as the Springboks seek a whitewash of the series.

"We wanted to keep changes in the starting team to a minimum because we have huge respect for this powerful French side," said coach Allister Coetzee at a news conference on Thursday.

"But the inclusion of Ruan in the starting team gives us an important opportunity to build capacity in the tighthead position. This is a very important position."

Dreyer replaces Frans Malherbe, who is the Springbok first choice at tight head.

Kriel regains his position after Lionel Mapoe stood in for him in the 37-15 victory at King's Park Rugby Stadium last Saturday, which sealed the series for the home team.

"Kriel's combination with Jan Serfontein exemplifies the strong bond they have both on and off the field," Coetzee said.

Concussion suffered by flanker Oupa Mohoje and scrumhalf Ross Cronje last Saturday in Durban has handed the opportunity to Du Preez and Hougaard.

Team: 15-Andries Coetzee, 14-Raymond Rhule, 13-Jesse Kriel, 12-Jan Serfontein, 11-Courtnall Skosan, 10-Elton Jantjies, 9-Francois Hougaard, 8-Warren Whiteley, 7-Jean-Luc du Preez, 6-Siya Kolisi, 5-Franco Mostert, 4-Eben Etzebeth, 3-Ruan Dreyer, 2-Malcolm Marx, 1-Tendai Mtawarira Replacements: 16-Bongi Mbonambi, 17-Steven Kitshoff, 18-Coenie Oosthuizen, 19-Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20-Jaco Kriel, 21-Rudy Paige, 22-Frans Steyn, 23-Dillyn Leyds.


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Source: AAP



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