Louis Picamoles will make his first Test start in almost a year when France take on the Springboks in Paris on Saturday.
The No 8 has enjoyed a fine start to the season for Montpellier in the Top 14 but only made a single appearance – against Scotland – in the Six Nations.
Centre Damian Penaud will make his first Test appearance on the wing, while Camille Lopez, who is back from an injury nightmare, will partner Baptiste Serin at halfback.
The side will be led out by hooker Guilhem Guirado.
France – 15 Maxime Medard, 14 Teddy Thomas, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Geoffrey Doumayrou, 11 Damian Penaud, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Baptiste Serin, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Arthur Iturria, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 3 Cedate Gomes Sa, 2 Guilhem Guirado (c), 1 Jefferson Poirot.
Subs: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Dany Priso, 18 Rabah Slimani, 19 Paul Gabrillagues, 20 Mathieu Babillot, 21 Antoine Dupont, 22 Anthony Belleau, 23 Gael Fickou.
Photo: Yoan Valat/EPA
