Springbok captain's run: Why it's in Toulon and not Marseille

In Marseille

Springbok team manager Charles Wessels said the reason behind them having their captain's run in Stade Mayol in Toulon and not at Marseille's Stade Velodrome was based on the distance between the two coastal towns.

Marseille and Toulon are 66km apart and the latter will be the Springboks' base for next year's World Cup in France.

The Springboks' captain's run will take place on Friday afternoon ahead of the first Test between South Africa and France in four years.

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Wessels said they know the stadium and they're happy to travel to the city just for the game.

In August, the All Blacks also opted not to have their captain's run at Ellis Park before the 13 August Test that they ended up winning.

"We don't want to travel that hour and 15 minutes," Wessels said.

"We know the stadium and we're prepared to travel that time on match-day and not pack up our bags and move to Marseille.

Springbok utility back Cheslin Kolbe, who has been designated as the first-choice goalkicker on Saturday, said the ground was a wonderful place to play at.

Kolbe's first and only experience at the ground was last season's European Challenge Cup final where he featured for Toulon against Lyon.

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