Cape Town - Springbok skipper, Warren Whiteley, believes the Springboks will face a fierce physical onslaught from France in the second Test at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday.
Kick off at 17:05.
Whiteley - like Springbok coach Allister Coetzee a day before - reiterated that the Springboks would concentrate on their own processes, rather than focus on the changes in the French side or the possibility of claiming a series win.
South Africa lead the series 1-0 following their win last week in
Pretoria.
"To be honest, it hasn’t even been mentioned this week at all," said Whiteley.
"All the focus this week has been on ourselves, looking at the things we want to improve on. We've spoken a lot about maintaining the intensity of last week, because we know they are going to be a lot more physical on Saturday."
According to the Springbok skipper, the Boks are readying themselves for an improved showing from the visitors, whose ranks have been bolstered by the addition of several experience players.
"We expect them to be much more improved and they have picked players who have played in the Top 14 final and who are all experienced at this level," explained the Springbok skipper.
"They will come with a fierce response and I believe it will be a good challenge for us as a team. We expect more physicality because they like to go direct and their set piece is strong.
"However, our focus will be on improving our continuity and to keep going with our processes," said Whiteley.
Earlier in the day, former Springbok captain and current Sharks CEO Gary Teichmann presented the team with their match jerseys while flanker Siya Kolisi was also presented with a cake to celebrate his 26th birthday.
Teams:
South Africa
15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Raymond Rhule, 13 Lionel Mapoe, 12 Jan Serfontein, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Elton Jantjies, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Warren Whiteley (captain), 7 Oupa Mohoje, 6 Siya Kolisi, 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Tendai Mtawarira
Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Coenie Oosthuizen, 19 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 20 Jean-Luc du Preez, 21 Francois Hougaard, 22 Frans Steyn, 23 Dillyn Leyds
France
15 Scott Spedding, 14 Yoann Huget, 13 Damian Penaud, 12 Gaël Fickou, 11 Virimi Vakatawa, 10 François Trinh-Duc, 9 Baptiste Serin, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Kévin Gourdon, 6 Yacouba Camara, 5 Romain Taofifeuna, 4 Yoann Maestri, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Guilhem Guirado (captain), 1 Jefferson Poirot
Substitutes: 16 Clément Maynadier, 17 Eddy Ben Arous, 18 Uini Atonio, 19 Julien le Devedec, 20 Bernard le Roux, 21 Antoine Dupont, 22 Jean-Marc Doussain, 23 Nans Ducuing