The Racing 92 centre takes over the captaincy duties from previous leader Gregory Alldritt, who has been dropped from the squad altogether.
Les Bleus come into this weekend's Test out for revenge, as they take on the Boks for the first time since the dramatic World Cup quarter-final two years ago.
While the headline call comes in the back-row, France boss Galthie has turned to his big guns in virtually every position.
Thomas Ramos gets the nod at full-back, with Bordeaux-Begles duo Damian Penaud and Louis Bielle-Biarrey named on the wings. Pierre-Louis Barassi joins skipper Fickou in midfield, while Romain Ntamack and Nolann le Garrec start in the halves.
Mickael Guillard slots in at number eight following a strong showing on the summer tour there, displacing Alldritt in the process. He is joined by Paul Boudehent and Anthony Jelonch in a tasty back-row unit.
Toulouse pairing Emmanuel Meafou and Thibaud Flament start at lock, with Regis Montagne, Julien Marchand and Baptiste Erdocio named as the starting front-row combination.
Galthie has opted for a 6/2 split on the bench, with Guilaume Cramont, Jean-Baptiste Gros, Dorian Aldegheri, Romain Taofifenua, Hugo Auradou and Oscar Jegou all named as the forward options. Jegou has featured at centre in the past, so is also an option to move into the backline if needed.
Maxime Lucu and Nicolas Depoortere round off the matchday squad.
France - 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Gael Fickou (c), 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Nolann le Garrec, 8 Mickael Guillard, 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Anthony Jelonch, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Regis Montagne, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Baptiste Erdocio
Replacements: 16 Guilaume Cramont, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Hugo Auradou, 21 Oscar Jegou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Nicolas Depoortere
Rassie Erasmus has named a familiar and formidable line-up to do battle with France in Paris on Saturday, on a day when Springbok captain Siya Kolisi will celebrate his 100th appearance in the green and gold.
Inter Milan reignited their Champions League charge on Wednesday night as Marcus Thuram made a long-awaited return from injury to inspire a tense 2-1 victory over Kairat Almaty at San Siro.
South African-born former France international Paul Willemse believes Les Bleus need to try bto ully the Springboks' forwards to gain the upper hand at Stade de France.
French publication Midi Olympique has crowned Pieter Steph du Toit the best player in the world, usurping France megastar Antoine Dupont.
