Springboks welcome back big guns for first Italy Test at Loftus Versfeld

While captain Siya Kolisi is still injured, the Springboks will welcome back some big guns for Saturday’s first Test against Italy at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

Vincent Tshituka is the only debutant in the team boasting a plethora of double World Cup winners. Tshituka played in the Springboks’ season opener against the Barbarians, playing the full 80 minutes in their 54-7 victory in Cape Town.

Tshituka is one of 13 players retained from the Barbarians match. Jesse Kriel, who led the Boks against the Baabaas, will captain the side for the first time in a Test, making him the 67th Springbok captain.

Regular captain Kolisi is still out with a neck injury, but the most capped Bok of all time, Eben Etzebeth, is back in the starting line-up after recovering from his injury.

The Test will mark a significant occasion for Damian Willemse, who returns to the Bok fold for the first time since the Rugby World Cup final after a series of injuries curtailed his 2024 season. A suspension for a dangerous tackle saw him miss the outing against the Barbarians.

Scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, who last wore the green and gold jersey against Ireland in 2024 before his season was cut short by injury, will also return to the field along with No 8 Jasper Wiese.

Erasmus opted for largely the same backline that played against the Barbarians, with the only new players being Rugby World Cup winners Willemse at fullback and Handre Pollard at flyhalf, where the latter will pair up with exciting scrumhalf Morne van den Berg.

Willemse, meanwhile, will form an exciting back three with wingers Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse, while Damian de Allende and Kriel retain their places in the midfield.

There are three personnel changes in the forward pack, with Wiese replacing Jean-Luc du Preez, whose wife is expecting a child, while Etzebeth takes over from the injured Jean Kleyn in the engine room, and Wilco Louw will start at tighthead prop in a front row with Ox Nche and Malcolm Marx.

Erasmus opted for a split of six forwards and two backs on the replacements bench, where experienced hooker Bongi Mbonambi will provide front row cover with props Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Vincent Koch, along with lock RG Snyman and utility forwards Franco Mostert and Kwagga Smith.

The two backline players on the bench are De Klerk and Willie le Roux, who will earn his 99th Test cap if he takes the field, taking him one Test closer to joining the exclusive club of Springbok centurions.

“We have a big squad, and we would like to balance the game time within the group, while at the same time maintaining continuity in selection, and we believe this is the team that will be best suited for what we want to achieve against Italy,” said Erasmus.

“We are also fortunate to have a few experienced players back from injury, who will be keen to make their mark in the game.”

Commenting on Kolisi’s injury, Erasmus said: “Siya unfortunately picked up a niggle, but Marco did a good job at flanker last week and he is one of the core players in our team, so we are blessed to have such depth in the squad.

“If one goes through this team, there are so many leaders, and we were impressed with how Jesse accepted the responsibility of wearing the captain’s armband last week. He is a player who leads by example on and off the field, and he thoroughly deserves this honour.”

The Bok coach was also delighted for Tshituka, who delivered a strong performance against the Barbarians last week in which he scored two tries in his first game in the Bok jersey.

“Vincent has fitted into our structures really well and he showed last week that he has the potential to play Test rugby, so we are excited to see what he can do against Italy and to see him make his debut,” said the Bok coach.

Springboks team for Italy in Pretoria:

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.

Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Franco Mostert, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Faf de Klerk, 23 Willie le Roux.

@JohnGoliath82