South Africa vs. France: Start Time, Live Stream for 2017 Summer Internationals
South Africa will begin their summer series against France with the first Test at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday. The Springboks have picked a refreshed squad with up to five players set to earn their first caps.
By contrast, Les Bleus are preparing to rely on established stars from the likes of Top 14 finalists Toulon and Clermont for the tour.
Before a preview, here are the schedule and live-streaming details:
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Date: Saturday, June 10
Time: 4 p.m. BST. 11 a.m. ET.
TV Info: Sky Sports 3.
Live Stream: Sky Go.
Preview
South Africa coach Allister Coetzee has put his faith in a collection of newbies at international level. The new faces include Lions full-back Andries Coetzee, along with Cheetahs wing Raymond Rhule, per Sky Sports.
However, the bigger question marks could be along the back row. The Springbok are going to give Oupa Mahoje and Siya Kolisi the chance to combine with skipper Warren Whiteley.
It's an experiment coach Coetzee is looking forward to seeing, per Sky Sports:
"I am excited about our loose trio combination. Siya Kolisi has played at openside for the Springboks and the Stormers, and I know he will be able to do the job for us. Oupa Mohoje has good ball-carrying abilities, he is an excellent lineout option and I think the combination will complement each other."
Coetzee's willingness to test new partnerships reflects the experimental approach the Springboks are content to take on this tour. It's a chance for Coetzee to find out which groups of players are capable of giving his side greater width and helping South Africa play more open rugby.
Using width as part of a more open game used to be a tradition of French rugby at the national level. It's something coach Guy Noves has struggled to revive during his time in charge.
However, the 63-year-old has still felt comfortable leaving out some key stars, including Clermont Auvergne fly-half Camille Lopez. He won't feature, nor will his Clermont team-mates centre Remi Lamerat and back row Damien Chouly, per Sky Sports.
Noves explained his reasons for not calling up a replacement for Lopez, during an interview with AFP (h/t Sky Sports): "For the moment, I prefer to wait."
Restoring confidence in France rubgy can only start with a strong showing in Pretoria. Yet Noves' men are unlikely to have an easy time against a Springboks side always strong on home soil, no matter who plays.
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