43 - 7

15 - 52

24 - 13

25 - 37

12 - 36

32 - 26

15 - 20

27 - 23

17 - 26

21 - 26

61 - 7

18 - 26

38 - 17

47 - 10

13 - 24

33 - 46

28 - 56

45 - 28

14 - 23

39 - 20

16 - 17

40 - 14

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27 - 35

41 - 17

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34 - 14

42 - 12

33 - 20

International

Springboks make 11 changes for Italy with another unorthodox bench call

By Ian Cameron

24 days ago

Handre Pollard of South Africa applauds the fans after defeating New Zealand during the Rugby World Cup Final match between New Zealand and South Africa at Stade de France on October 28, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Rassie Erasmus has effectively ripped up the winning team sheet, making 11 changes to the Springboks side that beat France as South Africa look to maintain momentum against Italy in Turin on Saturday.

Siya Kolisi once again captains the Boks but he’s just one of only four players retained in the starting XV alongside Boan Venter, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Damian Willemse.

Almost everyone else gets rotated as Erasmus continues his stated plan to spread minutes during the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour.

It’s a full remodel up front. Venter is joined by Johan Grobbelaar and Zachary Porthen, the latter making just his second Test appearance. Jean Kleyn returns for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final to partner Franco Mostert in the second row.

Kolisi keeps the No.6 jersey with Ben-Jason Dixon – in his first Test outing of the season – at blindside and Marco van Staden at No.8. Following on from the Boks’ tendency to rely on hybrid players, Erasmus has once again opted to use van Staden as his back-up hooker.

The backs have been similarly refreshed.

Morne van den Berg and returning veteran Handré Pollard – who hasn’t played since featuring against the All Blacks in September – link up at halfback.

Edwill van der Merwe joins Arendse on the wings while Ethan Hooker teams up with Canan Moodie in a punchy midfield combination and Willemse stays at fullback.

In another unorthodox move, Erasmus has picked two second-rows and two back-rows on the bench as part of a 6-2 split, with Kwagga Smith returning after missing out against France last weekend.

RG Snyman, sitting on 48 caps, is in line to edge within one of the Springboks’ 50-club.

Erasmus said the reshuffle fits the long-term plan: “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.

“Their victory will boost their confidence immensely… they have also beaten us in Italy before. We know what we are in for.”

Springbok team to face Italy
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 (capt); 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 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.

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Comments

19 Comments

NK 23 days ago

Ethan Hooker covering hooker?

R M 23 days ago

Hardly a weak 23, like x14 World Cup winners in that team!

RM 23 days ago

How is this a 6/2 bench? Esterhuizen is a centre

Jimmy 23 days ago

Utility player, he played in the back row against France

DP 24 days ago

Need to see a big game from Morne, jury is still out for me.. looking forward to seeing those bench players take to the field.

LE 24 days ago

Feels like a risk fielding such a weakend side vs an italy team full of confidence, until you look at that bench that is

Hammer Head 24 days ago

I don’t think weakened is a word I’d use to describe this team.

Maybe unsettled. But if the descriptions of how the team prepares week in and week out on these tours are to be believed - the word I’d use is hungry, to prove themselves.

Hammer Head 24 days ago

I wondered why Grobbelaar was barely used on Saturday and why Marx had to thoroughly empty the tank.

Grobbelaar will be expected to empty the tank this week with Marco cover for hooker. Obviously part of the plan and hence why Grobbelaar was probably spared for this test.

Love this team. It certainly keeps us interested to see how these combinations and plans will work. Very entertaining.

Italy by 1 point.

Jimmy 24 days ago

🤣

SB 24 days ago

Interested to see how cohesive they are against a good Italy team. That bench is elite.

Hammer Head 24 days ago

This is surely a risk. But being on the road for this many weeks now - I think they’ll be fine. Maybe a bit more nerves for some of the newer guys but there’s so much experience holding this team together it’s scary.

J D 24 days ago

Hard to find any flaws in this “experimental” side. Even if some guys don’t come out firing, the bench looks scary. Would have liked to see Willemse at inside center and Ethan Hooker on the wing.

Hammer Head 24 days ago

Nah. I love the idea of hooker at centre. He doesn’t have the pace to usurp the other wings and he was always destined to get into the midfield.

I’m surprised by how soon at inside center. I would have thought he’d start at 13.

But that combo of him and Moodie is exciting and I’m glad he’s getting his chance now. I think he’s a great prospect at 12.

Willemse needs more time at 15 before we move him around.

Jimmy 24 days ago

Rassie true to his word, giving more players game time - however that is a powerful and versatile bench that’s been selected.

tf 24 days ago

The ability to maintain continuity with the mixing and matching is quite incredible.

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