South Africa name experienced squad for Italy Test
Rassie Erasmus names his Springboks squad for the Italy Nations Championship Test
©Steve Haag
South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has named a largely settled 23-man squad for Saturday's Nations Championship clash against Italy in Turin.
Captain Siya Kolisi will lead the Springboks, with lock Salmaan Moerat returning to the matchday squad for the first time this season.
Salmaan Moerat Returns to Springboks Starting Lineup
Moerat is the only player in the selected matchday 23 yet to feature for South Africa in 2026, having missed earlier fixtures through neck and toe injuries.
The lock will partner Ruan Nortje in the second row, with Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit forming the front row.
Kolisi will lead the loose forwards alongside Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese, maintaining continuity in South Africa's forward pack.
Rassie Erasmus Retains Settled Backline Against Italy
Morné van den Berg and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu form the half-back pairing, while Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel retain their midfield partnership.
Ethan Hooker, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Damian Willemse complete the starting back three.
Erasmus has selected six forwards and two backs among the replacements. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Wilco Louw, Lood de Jager, Cameron Hanekom and Paul de Villiers provide forward cover.
Grant Williams and Manie Libbok are the two replacement backs.
South Africa XV: 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche
Reserves: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Cameron Hanekom, 21 Paul de Villiers, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok
