Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has opted for experience and consistency, naming a seasoned 23-player squad for Saturday’s Nations Championship Test against Italy in Turin.
With the European tour entering a crucial phase and the Nations Championship finals weekend approaching, Erasmus has selected a match-day squad featuring players who have already gained valuable Test experience this season.
Lock Salmaan Moerat is the only player in the starting line-up who has yet to feature in a Test for the Springboks this season. He will partner Ruan Nortje in the second row.
The forward pack will be anchored by Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit in the front row.
Captain Siya Kolisi will lead the team from the back row, alongside Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese.
The backline also features established first-choice players from the touring squad, highlighting Erasmus’s preference for continuity ahead of the encounter.
The replacements bench follows a six-two split, with six forwards and two backs included.
Notably, none of the six uncapped players in the wider touring squad has made the match-day 23 for the Italy Test.
The selection underlines the importance of the Turin encounter as South Africa look to build momentum ahead of the concluding stages of the Nations Championship.