Jasper Wiese returns for South Africa against Italy

South Africa head coach Jacques Nienaber has ring the changes for the upcoming clash against Italy to be played in Genoa on Saturday.

Jasper Wiese has returned to back row after recovering from a concussion that forced him to miss the game against France. He will take the place of Kwagga Smith.

Cheslin Kolbe, who sustained a head injury in the previous game has retained his place at right wing with Kurt-Lee Arendse at left.

Andre Esterhuizen come in at inside centre while Damian de Allende has retained his place at outside centre. Damian Willemse continues to retain his place at fly-half with Faf de Klerk at scrum-half.

Franco Mostert switches from lock to back row alongside Wiese and skipper Siya Kolisi while Marvin Orie and Salmaan Moerat are partnering in the second row.

The front row sees no change with Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi and Ox Nche all retaining their places from the game against South Africa.

“A couple of players have been training very hard in the last few weeks and deserve a chance to start, and Lood’s injury and Pieter-Steph’s disciplinary hearing opened the door for us to give them an opportunity,” said Nienaber.

“Salmaan and Marvin are both DHL Stormers players, so they have been playing together for a while, and they are very hungry for game time, so we are looking forward to what they bring in the game.

“It’s also good to have Jasper back against the physical Italian pack, and we know that Kwagga will spark something different when he takes the field. Evan also gets a chance off the bench and his skills will work well with Kwagga’s in the loose trio, while Manie earns another run after making his debut last week."

South Africa XV: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Damian de Allende, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche

Reserves: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Evan Roos, 23 Manie Libbok