Overview
- Rassie Erasmus made 11 changes to the Springboks’ starting lineup that beat France, with Handré Pollard returning at flyhalf and Morne van den Berg starting at scrumhalf.
- Young centres Ethan Hooker and Canan Moodie were picked together in midfield, while Siya Kolisi, Boan Venter, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Damian Willemse are the only retained starters.
- Marco van Staden will cover hooker despite starting at No. 8, as South Africa again lean on hybrids in a 6–2 bench featuring Andre Esterhuizen as forward-back cover.
- Italy kept continuity after the 26–19 win over Australia, making one change with Marco Riccioni in for Simone Ferrari and shifting to a 6–2 bench that includes Riccardo Favretto and David Odiase.
- The Test is set for Saturday at Turin’s Allianz Stadium (13:40 local), with James Doleman refereeing and RG Snyman in line for his 49th cap alongside Jean Kleyn’s first appearance since the 2023 World Cup final.