Springbok hooker Bismarck du Plessis will start for Montpellier in the friendly against Western Province on Thursday.

Du Plessis was left out of the Springbok squad for the June series against England and the Rugby Championship. Coach Rassie Erasmus claimed that the veteran’s absence was injury-enforced.

However, the 34-year-old has been cleared to start for his French club on Thursday. The game in Millau will form part of WP’s final preparations for the Currie Cup.

Montpellier have named a largely first-choice lineup, with Du Plessis starting alongside brother Jannie in a team that includes experienced internationals in Ruan Pienaar, Aaron Cruden and Frans Steyn.

Johan Goosen will make his first appearance for the team since announcing his comeback, while Wiaan Liebenberg will wear the captain’s armband.

Montpellier – 15 Johan Goosen, 14 Vincent Martin, 13 Yvan Reilhac, 12 Frans Steyn, 11 Gabriel N’Gandebe, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Ruan Pienaar, 8 Martin Devergie, 7 Julien Bardy, 6 Wiaan Liebenberg (c), 5 Paul Willemse, 4 Nico Janse van Rensburg, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Grégory Fichten.
Subs: 16 Vincent Guidicelli, 17 Yvan Watremez, 18 Julien Le Devedec, 19 Kévin Kornath, 20 Henry Immelman, 21 Timoci Nagusa, 22 Enzo Sanga, 23 Levan Chilachava, 24 Romain Ruffenach, 25 Konstantin Mikautadze, 26 Thomas Darmon, 27 Julien Tomas, 28 Antoine Guillamon.

Photo: Sylvain Thomas/AFP