Boks to use clash against France to gaze into the distance

As much as it has been billed as another dry run to next year's Rugby World Cup (RWC) in this country, the Springboks' clash against France in reality appears to be another opportunity to keep their powder free from moisture ahead of the big event.

The build-up as well as the world champions' clash against the most recent Six Nations winners is another opportunity for the Boks to gaze into the distance, at the risk perhaps of taking their eye off the ball.

Having last week failed to beat Ireland, a team they will meet in the pool stages of next year's RWC, South Africa have turned their attention to the hosts of next year's tournament, who have lengthened their stride in the build-up to the event.

Much of this tour, especially this week, was with an eye on the tournament but the Springboks may be left asking themselves whether they have not taken their eye off the more immediate prize.

This week they have based themselves in the naval town of Toulon which is an hour and a quarter away from Stade Vélodrome, and have taken the rather unusual decision to not travel to Marseille on the eve of the match.

It would have allowed them to have their eve-of-match captain's run in the stadium where the match is played and also avoid a longer bus ride on match day.

Visiting teams usually place a high premium on familiarising themselves with the stadium they will be playing in on the eve of the match but on this occasion the Springbok brains trust has eschewed that opportunity.

The chance to get to know their surrounds is especially important for place kickers as they have to come to grips with the turf and how the design of the stadium affects the trajectory of the ball when they take place kicks.

They will need no reminding that they missed three crucial kicks last week against Ireland in Dublin, and much of the post match fall-out involved their effectiveness, or lack thereof, off the kicking tee.

Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber revealed earlier this week that Cheslin Kolbe will be their designated place kicker with Damian Willemse and Faf de Klerk as back-up options.

Though Kolbe plays for Toulon and when the demand requires it they play the odd home match in Stade Vélodrome instead of their home ground Stade Felix Mayol in Toulon, he isn't that familiar with the stadium.

He has played there only once before.

A major renovation of the stadium was completed in 2014 and one of the important additions was a sloping roof as well as increasing capacity to 67,000 spectators.

Previously the Stade Vélodrome was exposed to the elements and was particularly prone to the gusts of the mistral, the Alpine breeze that sweeps in from the north-east.

Now it is more likely to swirl inside the stadium.

Claims that the Springboks are familiar with the ground would be a bit of a stretch as the last time they played there was in a RWC game against Fiji in 2007.

The last time they played France there was in 2002 when they were thumped 30-10 by the hosts.

That match was also played a year out from the RWC but there are few similarities between Rudolf Straeuli's stragglers and the contemporary Boks.

The defending world champions are in a far better space.

They are far further down the road in squad development and formulating battles that suit their personnel.

For this match, however, they do run the risk of allowing their immediate focus to drift.

The RWC certainly has its allure but the Boks will be better served to linger longer in the moment.

They are, after all, up against a team that has won their last 11 games.

The match will mark a significant milestone for referee Wayne Barnes who will set a new world record 101 Tests when he blows the whistle for kick-off at Stade Vélodrome.

He is equal with Nigel Owens but will take ownership of the record on Saturday.

Barnes has racked up a formidable body of work but the match that will forever be associated with him, and has made him popular in France apart from his ability to speak the local language, was his handling their RWC quarterfinal win over the All Blacks in 2007.

Boks fans will hope he won't blow time on their team's seven match unbeaten run against France.

Teams

France - Thomas Ramos; Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Jonathan Danty, Yoram Moefana; Romain Ntamack, Antoine Dupont (captain); Gregory Alldritt, Charles Ollivon, Anthony Jelonch; Thibaud Flament, Cameron Woki; Uini Atonio, Julien Marchand, Cyril Baille.

Substitutes: Peato Mauvaka, Reda Wardi, Sipili Falatea, Romain Taofifenua, Bastien Chalureau, Sekou Macalou, Maxime Lucu, Matthieu Jalibert.

South Africa - Willie le Roux; Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse; Damian Willemse, Faf de Klerk; Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain); Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth; Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche.

Substitutes: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Marvin Orie, Kwagga Smith; Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok, Makazole Mapimpi.

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)

Kick-off: 0am