Boks recall experienced duo for France showdown in Marseille

South Africa have recalled the experienced duo of fullback Willie le Roux and scrumhalf Faf de Klerk for their autumn international against France in Marseille on Saturday, while they have also added some goal-kicking insurance on the bench.

The Springboks lost 19-16 to Ireland in Dublin at the weekend, a below par performance that has seen coach Jacques Nienaber make five changes to his starting lineup.

Le Roux comes into the side in the number 15 jersey, with Cheslin Kolbe moving to the wing in the place of Makazole Mapimpi, and De Klerk taking over from Jaden Hendrikse.

Tighthead prop Frans Malherbe comes into a new-look front row alongside Ox Nche and hooker Bongi Mbonambi, while Franco Mostert takes over at lock from the injured Lood de Jager.

"We opted to make a few tactical personnel changes for the challenge that we expect France to pose," Nienaber said in a media release from South African Rugby on Tuesday.

"We know what each of the players in this squad can do, and we thought these combinations fit this specific game."

The Boks have included uncapped flyhalf Manie Libbok on the bench after they struggled with their goal-kicking in Dublin in the absence of injured Handre Pollard.

Damian Willemse and Kolbe shared the duties with limited success.

Nienaber has also added an extra back on the bench for a 5-3 split, with scrumhalf Cobus Reinach and Mapimpi the others that could potentially be introduced.

"A guy like Cobus will bring a different dimension to our attack, and it a bonus that he knows the conditions in France and has played with some of their players," Nienaber said.

"Manie has showed his big match temperament in the United Rugby Championship and he has been training well since joining the team, so if he gets