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Cape Town - The Springboks will be victorious against the French in June, according to former Springbok legend Naka Drotske.
The Springboks had a year to forget in 2016 with Allister Coetzee's men losing eight of their 12 Tests.
But Drotske, who also praised the appointment of Lions No 8 Warren Whiteley as captain of the Springboks, believes that the South Africans will get off to a good start in 2017 by clinching the series against France next month.
"I've had my doubts especially after last year, we didn't have a good year," Drotske told Sport24.
"So it's important that Allister picks his form players and I think it's a really good move to give Warren Whiteley the captaincy.
"It's basically a new start, which I like and although France will be tough, I think South Africa will win this one."
Drotske believes that this series will be vital to the Springboks in terms of getting their confidence back and instilling a positive attitude in the camp.
"We're not there yet (as a top team), especially after last year where we were in a negative frame of mind," said Drotske.
"It's an important series against France and our chance to get that positive winning culture back."
Drotske, 46, played 26 Tests for the Boks between 1993 and 1999, and was part of the famed squad that won the World Cup in 1995 at Ellis Park.
The first Springbok Test against the French takes place on Saturday, June 10 in Pretoria, followed by matches in Durban (June 17) and Johannesburg (June 24).
