Overview
- Erasmus named the matchday 23 on Monday and left all six uncapped players in the wider 37-man tour squad out of the Turin line-up.
- Salmaan Moerat starts at No.4 lock to replace the injured Eben Etzebeth, making his first Springbok start of 2026.
- The replacements bench features six forwards and two backs, a selection intended to press South Africa's set-piece and scrum advantage.
- Young flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed reported a sore shoulder and may be sent home for scans, a developing injury concern that could curtail his tour.
- Italy arrive with roughly 15–17 players unavailable through injury, and South Africa top the southern section on points difference while targeting strong results to protect their place in the Nations Championship finals.