5 Frenchmen the Springboks must watch out for
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The Springboks will face France in a three-match series in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Durban. With that in mind, we have a look at 5 Frenchmen that could cause some real problems for the South Africans.
Baptiste Serin
22-year-old burst onto the international scene against Argentina last November and has since made the no.9 jersey his own the recent Six Nations.
Serin is talented halfback with an excellent pass, accurate boot and a keen eye for the try line.
Extremely skilful, Serin set up a brilliant try against the All Blacks in November and the Springbok defence will need to be wide awake to keep the scrumhalf quiet.
Uini Atonio
Weighing in at 155kg tighthead prop Uini Atonio will prove to be a tough customer in June.
The massive front rower is no show pony, he is a deadly ball carrier and an exceptional scrummager.
He has been in fine form this season for La Rochelle helping them secure top spot in the Top 14 in the regular season, before being knocked out in the playoffs.
Louis Picamoles
The French no.8 has been in fantastic form this season and was arguably their best player in this year's Six Nations.
Picamoles is a strong ball carrier, deadly tackler and exceptionally skilful with the ball in hand.
Playing in the English Premiership Picamoles was named as Northampton Saints player of the season.
Jules Plisson
Having been left out of the France squad for the 2017 Six Nations, Jules Plisson earned his place in the France squad with a great season with Stade Francais.
He played a key role in Stade Francais' Challenge Cup success and kept Springbok flyhalf Morne Steyn on the bench for the majority of the season.
Plisson is another pinpoint kicker in the French squad and has a nerves of steel as he showed in Stade Francais' semi-final against Bath.
Virimi Vakatawa
7s fans will remember seeing this French flyer during the Paris 7s, Virimi Vakatawa is difficult to bring to the ground and has a brilliant offloading game.
Vakatawa started in France in 4 of Frances 5 Six Nations matches helping his side to a third-place finish.
