Captain Kolisi backs kicker Kolbe to thrive in Marseille cauldron

In Toulon

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi said they will be backing Cheslin Kolbe regardless of what happens in Saturday's Test against France at the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.

In the various absences of first-choice kickers like Frans Steyn, Handre Pollard and Elton Jantjies, Kolbe has been thrust into the spotlight as the prime goalkicker.

He will be backed up by Damian Willemse, Faf de Klerk and Manie Libbok if he comes off the bench to make his Test debut.

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Kolisi said they have a responsibility to convert their opportunities to ensure they relieve Kolbe of the points pressure from the kicking tee.

In last week's 19-16 loss against Ireland, Kolbe kicked over a penalty, but missed the conversions from the Franco Mostert and Kurt-Lee Arendse tries.

France

15 Thomas Ramos; 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Yoram Moefana; 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain); 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Anthony Jelonch; 5 Thibaud Flament, 4 Cameron Woki; 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille

Substitutes: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Sipili Falatea, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Bastien Chalureau, 21 Sekou Macalou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Matthieu Jalibert

South Africa

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Kwagga Smith, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche

Substitutes: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Deon Fourie 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Makazole Mapimpi

Willemse had