The French captain, Dupont, is considered by many to be the best halfback in the world at the moment, while is also the currently the World Rugby Player of the Year.

De Klerk gets a rare start this season with Jaden Hendrikse being dropped, while Cobus Reinach of Montpellier has been named on the bench.

De Klerk said he welcomes facing the Toulouse number nine on Saturday night.

“He has been awarded the World Rugby Player of the Year accolade, so he has to be the best scrumhalf in the world,” said De Klerk who will be earning his 40th Test cap.

“He is difficult to contain because he is very quick and physically strong, but we have some clever forwards who can hopefully stop him.

“Australia put him under some pressure and hopefully we can get to him too, but he is playing in a great side and is full of confidence, so for him, it seems to be a continued upward trajectory.

“We believe we can get him on the back foot, something he is not used to yet, and put him under serious pressure.”

Saturday night’s Test at Stade Velodrome kicks off at 22:00.

France - 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Yoram Moefana, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Gregory Alldritt, 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Thibaud Flament, 4 Cameron Woki, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille

Replacements - 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Reda Wardi, 18 Sipili Falatea, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Bastien Chalureau, 21 Sekou Macalou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Matthieu Jalibert

Springboks - 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nché

Replacements - 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Marvin Orie, 20 Kwagga Smith 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Makazole Mapimpi

Morgan Piek OFM Sport