Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has named a much-changed squad to face Italy at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Saturday, with just four players retaining their spots in the starting line-up from their victory over France last weekend.
Siya Kolisi remains as captain, while Boan Venter, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Damian Willemse all retain their spots in the side.
Erasmus has kept the same bench from last weekend, bar Johan Grobbelaar, who has been moved into the starting team, and replaced with Kwagga Smith.
Much-changed Springboks squad
- 11 changes to the starting line-up that faced France
- The bench remains the same, apart from the return of Kwagga Smith
- Canan Moodie will start at outside centre
Venter will be joined in the front-row by Grobbelaar and recent debutant Zachary Porthen, while Jean Kleyn will feature in his first match since the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final when he pairs up with Franco Mostert in the second-row.
Ben-Jason Dixon returns to make his first Test appearance this season, joining Kolisi on the flank, while Marco van Staden slots in at number eight.
Erasmus has gone creative with the backline, meeting inexperience with experience at half-back, as Morne van den Berg teams up with Handre Pollard to dictate the play.
Edwill van der Merwe replaces Cheslin Kolbe on the right wing, while Ethan Hooker and Canan Moodie combine to create a youthful midfield. Willemse will once again patrol the backfield.
The bench has a familiar look to it, with Gerhard Steenekamp, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, Ruan Nortje and Smith making up the Bomb Squad, while Andre Esterhuizen offers an innovative hybrid role. Versatile backs Grant Williams and Manie Libbok will also await their opportunity from the bench. Van Staden will serve as the back-up hooker.
“We said from the outset of the tour that we want to give as many players as possible a chance to play, and we believe this team is best suited to the threats Italy will pose,” said Erasmus.
“One of our key pillars is to build squad depth, and it’s great to have players like Jean, Handre, Edwill, and Ben-Jason back, who have all been in the mix in the last few seasons.
“Handre and Jean have played in Rugby World Cups, while Ben-Jason and Edwill have both performed for us at the highest level, and we are excited to see what they’ll bring this weekend.”
Innovative selections
Of the decision not to include a specialist back-up hooker among the replacements, Erasmus said: “Marco played hooker for us at the World Cup, and he has been training in the position since, so it doesn’t make a difference whether he starts at loose forward and moves to hooker, or whether we named him solely as the back-up hooker on the bench.
“He’s a versatile player, and we are confident that he’ll be able to do the job required at No 8 and at hooker if necessary this weekend.”
Erasmus expected Italy to come out firing and said their victory against Australia last week proved what a force they can be.
“We may have won both our matches against them in the Castle Lager Incoming Series, but they tested us well in both matches, and put up a brave fight,” said the head coach.
“Their victory against Australia will also boost their confidence immensely, so we have a lot of respect for them, and we’ll have to give everything to get the result we want on the weekend.
“They’ve made huge strides in the last few years, and last week’s result shows what they are capable of when they are at their best, so we are not taking them lightly. They have also beaten us in Italy before, they are a passionate and well-coached team, and they’ll have an ardent crowd behind them in Torino, so we know what we are in for.”
Springboks team to face Italy
Starting XV: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Ethan Hooker, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Marco van Staden, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Boan Venter
Replacements: 16 Gerhard Steenekamp, 17 Wilco Louw, 18 RG Snyman, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 André Esterhuizen, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok
Date: Saturday, November 15
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Turin
Kick-off: 12:40 GMT (14:40 SAST)
Referee: James Doleman (NZR)
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe (NZR), Jérémy Rozier (FFR)
TMO: Tual Trainini (FFR)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)