Eben Etzebeth will captain the Springboks against France at Ellis Park after Warren Whiteley was withdrawn because of a groin injury.

Whiteley has been managed throughout the series for his groin strain that he aggravated on Thursday after a lineout session, and it was decided to send him for a scan on Friday. The scan showed he aggravated the initial strain and it was therefore decided not to risk him.

'Warren is indeed a big loss for us. However, our preparations this week went very well and haven't been disrupted,' explained Bok coach Allister Coetzee.  

The withdrawal of Whiteley, who has led the Boks to triumphs in the previous two meetings between the sides, has resulted in a couple of personnel changes in the Springbok match 23.

Jean-Luc du Preez moves from the side of the scrum to fill the No 8 position, while flanker Jaco Kriel is elevated from the bench into the starting team. Lood de Jager (lock) now comes on to the substitute bench as one of the forward reserves.

Springboks – 15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Raymond Rhule, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Francois Hougaard, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Jaco Kriel, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth (c), 3 Ruan Dreyer, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Beast Mtawarira.
Subs: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Lood de Jager, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Frans Steyn, 23 Dillyn Leyds.

Photo: Gianluigi Guercia/AFP Photo