Hougaard better at scrumhalf - Coetzee
Emirates Airlines Park in Johannesburg will host the third and final Test between the Springboks and France tomorrow (Saturday).
France have won all four their Tests against the Springboks at this venue.
Francois Hougaard has been picked to start for South Africa this week.
Hougaard replaces the injured Ross Cronje at scrumhalf.
Hougaard has also played Test rugby on the wing.
Springbok head coach, Allister Coetzee, believes Hougaard is better at scrumhalf.
"Francois has been exceptional for Worcester Warriors this season and he has played at nine all the time and for 80 minutes. This has been really good to see. I never want to play him at wing, because we have talented wingers and I do not think wing is his best position. I think scrumhalf suits him well and he has done well off the bench in this series against France. He has done well with his power play and his pace. He also asks good questions around the fringes. He has also built up good experience over the years at international level. I think that will add a lot to what is a young backline," Coetzee said.
Jean-Luc du Preez is another promoted to the Springbok starting line-up this week. Du Preez takes over from the injured Oupa Mohoje at flank.
The selection of Du Preez in the team means a spot on the Springbok bench for Jaco Kriel and so there are eight Lions in the match-day squad of 23.
Coetzee is excited to give chances to players like Du Preez and Kriel.
"It is good to give new people an opportunity in the team. It is actually a situation where you feel terrible to leave people out and it is a good position to be in. I think what we should understand is that rugby is no longer a 15-man or a 23-man effort. The game has changed in such a way that we need all 31 players in the squad to be ready at all times. So when opportunity knocks the players have to be ready to step in and perform. Jean-Luc has done really well since joining us and he has been exceptional off the bench. I think we are in a healthy position in that even the players outside the 23 can step in and do the job. So we have no worries in the event we pick up an injury or two," Coetzee added.
Jesse Kriel is back in the Springbok starting XV after missing the second Test through injury. Coetzee has revealed that Kriel and centre partner, Jan Serfontein, get along well.
"Jesse and Jan are not just partners on the field. They also get along well off the field and it is important to understand that. Jesse is the out-and-out number 13 that we are looking for. He has both pace and guile. He also understands how important it is to give us that defensive width. He also makes sure that the communication on defence is solid. He is good at reading the French outside backs. The French outside backs apply a lot of pressure in the wide channels. So if you do not understand the defence there, we will always be in trouble. So we know Jesse understands his role well in defence. I think the one important skill he has is the ability to communicate. Jesse has done well in this department," Coetzee said.
Coetzee believes depth in your squad is very important.
"Key to any successful squad is depth. You can only by as successful as the depth that you have. It is important to both start and finish a game with quality players. You tend to use your bench at a crucial time and your replacements must be able to play well if you are to win the game in the end," De Villiers added.
The Springboks have met France on 41 occasions to date.
The Boks have recorded 24 victories and France 11, while the countries have drawn six Tests.
Kickoff in Johannesburg is at 17h00.
Angus Gardner will referee the clash at Emirates Airlines Park.
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre
Francois Hougaard has been picked to start for South Africa this week.
Hougaard replaces the injured Ross Cronje at scrumhalf.
Hougaard has also played Test rugby on the wing.
Springbok head coach, Allister Coetzee, believes Hougaard is better at scrumhalf.
"Francois has been exceptional for Worcester Warriors this season and he has played at nine all the time and for 80 minutes. This has been really good to see. I never want to play him at wing, because we have talented wingers and I do not think wing is his best position. I think scrumhalf suits him well and he has done well off the bench in this series against France. He has done well with his power play and his pace. He also asks good questions around the fringes. He has also built up good experience over the years at international level. I think that will add a lot to what is a young backline," Coetzee said.
Jean-Luc du Preez is another promoted to the Springbok starting line-up this week. Du Preez takes over from the injured Oupa Mohoje at flank.
The selection of Du Preez in the team means a spot on the Springbok bench for Jaco Kriel and so there are eight Lions in the match-day squad of 23.
Coetzee is excited to give chances to players like Du Preez and Kriel.
"It is good to give new people an opportunity in the team. It is actually a situation where you feel terrible to leave people out and it is a good position to be in. I think what we should understand is that rugby is no longer a 15-man or a 23-man effort. The game has changed in such a way that we need all 31 players in the squad to be ready at all times. So when opportunity knocks the players have to be ready to step in and perform. Jean-Luc has done really well since joining us and he has been exceptional off the bench. I think we are in a healthy position in that even the players outside the 23 can step in and do the job. So we have no worries in the event we pick up an injury or two," Coetzee added.
Jesse Kriel is back in the Springbok starting XV after missing the second Test through injury. Coetzee has revealed that Kriel and centre partner, Jan Serfontein, get along well.
"Jesse and Jan are not just partners on the field. They also get along well off the field and it is important to understand that. Jesse is the out-and-out number 13 that we are looking for. He has both pace and guile. He also understands how important it is to give us that defensive width. He also makes sure that the communication on defence is solid. He is good at reading the French outside backs. The French outside backs apply a lot of pressure in the wide channels. So if you do not understand the defence there, we will always be in trouble. So we know Jesse understands his role well in defence. I think the one important skill he has is the ability to communicate. Jesse has done well in this department," Coetzee said.
Coetzee believes depth in your squad is very important.
"Key to any successful squad is depth. You can only by as successful as the depth that you have. It is important to both start and finish a game with quality players. You tend to use your bench at a crucial time and your replacements must be able to play well if you are to win the game in the end," De Villiers added.
The Springboks have met France on 41 occasions to date.
The Boks have recorded 24 victories and France 11, while the countries have drawn six Tests.
Kickoff in Johannesburg is at 17h00.
Angus Gardner will referee the clash at Emirates Airlines Park.
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre