Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has named a new-look starting team for the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour Test against Italy at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Saturday afternoon.
Erasmus has made 11 changes to his run-on side and one on the replacements bench from last week’s 32-17 victory against France.
The players who retained their places in the starting team are Boan Venter (prop), captain Siya Kolisi (flanker), Kurt-Lee Arendse (wing) and Damian Willemse (fullback), while Erasmus opted for the same bench except for Kwagga Smith (loose forward), who returns to the squad in place of Johan Grobbelaar, who was promoted to the starting lineup.
RG Snyman (replacement lock) is in line to earn his 49th Test cap, leaving him only one match short of joining the select group of players who have racked up a half-century of Test caps.
The Bok coach named a fresh front row of Venter, Grobbelaar and Zachary Porthen (who made his Test debut against Japan in London), 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 engine room.
Kolisi retains the No 6 jersey in a loose trio with Ben-Jason Dixon, in what marks his first Test this season, and Marco van Staden, who will start at No 8.
The Bok backline also has a new feel to it, with Morne van den Berg and Handre Pollard at halfback, while Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe have been selected at wing. Ethan Hooker and Canan Moodie form a physical centre pairing, and Willemse serving as the last line of defence at fullback.
“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.”
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 Erasmus.
“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.”
The game kicks off at 14h40 (SA Time) and will be broadcast live on SuperSport’s Grandstand and Rugby channels.
Springbok team to face Italy in Turin:
15 Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 46 caps, 66 pts (6t, 9c, 4p, 2 dg)
14 Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 4 caps, 25 pts (5t)
13 Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) – 20 caps, 40 pts (8t)
12 Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 6 caps, 0 pts
11 Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 29 caps, 115 pts (23t)
10 Handre Pollard (Vodacom Bulls) – 84 caps, 815 pts (8t, 122 c, 172 p, 5dg)
9 Morne van den Berg (Emirates Lions) – 4 caps, 15 pts (3t)
8 Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 31 caps, 15 pts (3t)
7 Ben-Jason Dixon (DHL Stormers) – 5 caps, 5 pts (1t)
6 Siya Kolisi (captain, Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 100 caps, 70 pts (14t)
5 Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 82 caps, 20 pts (4t)
4 Jean Kleyn (Munster) – 7 caps, 0 pts
3 Zachary Porthen (DHL Stormers) – 1 cap, 0 pts
2 Johan Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls) – 5 caps, 0 pts
1 Boan Venter (Edinburgh) – 6 caps, 5 pts (1t)
Replacements:
16 Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls) – 13 caps, 5 pts (1t)
17 Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 26 caps, 5 pts (1t)
18 RG Snyman (Leinster) – 48 caps, 15 pts (3t)
19 Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls) – 15 caps, 0 pts
20 Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 26 caps, 20 pts (4t)
21 Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 60 caps, 55 pts (11t)
22 Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 26 caps, 30 pts (6t)
23 Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners) – 26 caps, 141 pts (2t, 46c, 13p)
Stats and facts:
Springbok record against Italy:
Played 18; Won 17; Lost 1; Points for: 851, Points against: 219; Tries scored 113, Tries conceded 19; Highest score 101-0; Biggest win 101 points. Win % 94%.
