Springboks make sweeping changes ahead of Italy clash in Quilter Nations Series - ‘We are not taking them lightly’

South Africa are fielding a much-altered side for their match against Italy this coming weekend in Turin, with 11 changes for the clash. Head coach Rassie Erasmus has opted for a new-look Springboks outfit, with just four players retaining their place following last weekend’s hard-fought win over France. Watch and stream every match in the Quilter Nations Series live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

Highlights: Kolisi claims 100th cap as 14-man South Africa sink France in Paris

Video credit: TNT Sports

Rassie Erasmus has decided to make sweeping changes to his starting XV for South Africa’s Quilter Nations Series match away to Italy this weekend.

The clash, which takes place in Turin, will see an almost-completely different Springboks side to the one that beat France last weekend, with 11 changes to the starting line-up from Paris.

World Champions South Africa beat France 32-17 on Saturday night, and now face an Italy team buoyed from their own victory against Australia. The match kicks off at 12:40 (UK time) and is live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

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Siya Kolisi captains the side, with Boan Venter, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Damian Willemse also retaining their places.

Johan Grobbelaar has moved from the bench into the front row, with Zachary Porthen also coming in for the Springboks.

The second row consists of Jean Kleyn and Franco Mostert, while Ben-Jason Dixon plays at flanker with Marco van Staden at No. 8.

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Handre Pollard returns at fly-half, with the less experienced Morne van den Berg preferred at scrum-half as he adds to his tally of four caps.

"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, as reported by PlanetRugby.

"One of our key pillars is to build squad depth, and it’s great to have players like Jean, Handre, Edwill [van der Merwe], 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."

Van der Merwe and Arendse will start on the wings, with Ethan Hooker and Canan Moodie in the centre.

Willemse retains his place at the back of the field, while the bench features the ‘Bomb Squad’.

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But there is no specialist hooker on the bench - something Erasmus insists will not be an issue.

"Marco [van Staden] 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," Erasmus added.

"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."

South Africa beat Japan comfortably to start their autumn campaign, before being made to work harder against France for the win.

After Italy, they take on Ireland and then Wales to round out their tour. While much of the focus will be on the match against Ireland, Erasmus knows it is important to take Italy seriously - especially after their win last weekend.

"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."

South Africa starting XV

15. Damian Willemse
14. Edwill van der Merwe
13. Canan Moodie
12. Ethan Hooker
11. Kurt-Lee Arendse
10. Handre Pollard
9. Morne van den Berg

1. Boan Venter
2. Johan Grobbelaar
3. Zachary Porthen
4. Jean Kleyn
5. Franco Mostert
6. Siya Kolisi (capt)
7. Ben-Jason Dixon
8. Marco van Staden

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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Watch and stream every game of the Quilter Nations Series live on TNT Sports and discovery+

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