Overview
- South Africa make 11 changes from the France win, with Siya Kolisi captaining a youthful side selected to broaden Test experience.
- Johan Grobbelaar starts as the only specialist hooker, while Marco van Staden begins at No.8 and is designated to step into the front row if required.
- The bench is a 6–2 split with Andre Esterhuizen named as a hybrid option, and Erasmus acknowledges the hooker cover plan could backfire as a calculated test.
- Italy arrive in confident form after beating Australia, and Erasmus stresses the visitors will not underestimate a home side considered far stronger than in recent seasons.
- Kick-off is Saturday at Allianz Stadium in Turin (14:40 SAST) with James Doleman refereeing, and Erasmus says he will probably fly in a hooker and a prop on Sunday to prepare for Ireland.