Johannesburg: Under-fire South Africa coach Allister Coetzee has included four uncapped players in his starting side for the first of three Tests against France that could decide his future.
The countries meet at Loftus Versfeld stadium in Pretoria on Saturday and in Durban (June 17) and Johannesburg (June 24).
Media reports have claimed that a series loss to France could spell the end for the former Western Stormers coach.
After a disastrous eight losses in his first season, Coetzee chose full-back Andries Coetzee, wingers Raymond Rhule and Courtnall Skosan and scrum-half Ross Cronje for the first time.
Another uncapped winger, Western Stormers Dillyn Leyds, is among the eight replacements.
Coetzee, Skosan and Cronje formed part of the Golden Lions team that finished runners-up in the 2016 Super Rugby championship and are challenging for the title again this year.
Ghana-born Rhule plays for the Central Cheetahs, another of six South African sides competing in Super Rugby.
A surprise starter is another Lion, lock Franco Mostert, as Pieter-Steph du Toit was expected to partner fellow Stormer Eben Etzebeth instead of being on the bench.
"We have gone for settled combinations and selected players for the starting XV who have trained well with us," Coetzee told reporters.
"They are in good form so far this season and will be battle-ready. It is a great opportunity for our uncapped players to cement their places in the team," he added.
