Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has made significant adjustments to his team for Saturday's Castle Lager Outgoing Tour Test against Italy at the Allianz Stadium, introducing 11 changes to the starting lineup that defeated France last week, while keeping Siya Kolisi as captain.
Erasmus mentioned that the strategy for this tour, right from the beginning, was to provide as many players as possible with playing time, and that the chosen team is most appropriate for dealing with the challenges Italy presents.
Only four starting players remained from the France match: Boan Venter (prop), Siya Kolisi (flanker), Kurt-Lee Arendse (wing), and Damian Willemse (fullback). Johan Grobbelaar came off the bench to start in the front row with Venter and Zachary Porthen, who debuted in a Test against Japan in London.
Jean Kleyn makes his return to Test rugby for the first time since the 2023 Rugby World Cup Final, joining Franco Mostert in the forward pack, while RG Snyman is listed as a substitute and is set to earn his 49th Test appearance.
Kolisi keeps the No.6 position in a back-row combination with Ben-Jason Dixon and Marco van Staden, who will take the No.8 spot, marking Kolisi's first Test of the season.
The backline has also been updated. Morne van den Berg and Handre Pollard will direct play from halfback; Kurt-Lee Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe take up the wing roles; Ethan Hooker and Canan Moodie make up the center combination; and Willemse stays at fullback.
On the bench, Erasmus has retained most of last week's replacements but has inserted Johan Grobbelaar into the starting lineup and included Kwagga Smith in the matchday squad. The substitutes consist of props Gerhard Steenekamp and Wilco Louw, locks Snyman and Ruan Nortje, flanker Kwagga Smith, versatile player Andre Esterhuizen, and backs Grant Williams and Manie Libbok. Marco van Staden will also serve as the backup hooker.
Why the changes?
Erasmus outlined the reasoning for the changes, emphasizing the importance of team depth and experience. "A major focus is on developing squad depth, and it's positive to have players such as Jean, Handre, Edwill, and Ben-Jason returning, who have all been part of the action in recent seasons."
Handre and Jean have participated in Rugby World Cups, whereas Ben-Jason and Edwill have both represented us at the top level, and we are looking forward to seeing what they will contribute this weekend.
He cautioned that Italy should not be overlooked following their recent performance. "They've made significant progress in recent years, and last week's outcome demonstrates what they're capable of when they're at their peak, so we aren't treating them lightly."
They have defeated us in Italy previously, they are a fervent and well-trained team, and they will have a passionate crowd supporting them in Turin, so we are aware of what to expect.
The match starts at 2:40 pm South African time and will be broadcast live on SuperSport's Grandstand and Rugby channels.
Springbok XV to play against Italy in Turin (15–1):Damian Willemse, Edwill van der Merwe, Canan Moodie, Ethan Hooker, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Handré Pollard, Morne van den Berg, Marco van Staden, Ben-Jason Dixon, Siya Kolisi, Franco Mostert, Jean Kleyn, Zachary Porthen, Johan Grobbelaar, Boan Venter
Replacements (16–23): Gerhard Steenekamp, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, Ruan Nortje, Andre Esterhuizen, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok
Lance FredericksProvided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
0 Response to "Springboks Rebuild for Turin Clash as Kolisi Leads New-look Team vs Italy"
Post a Comment