Rassie Erasmus Names Fresh Springboks Line-Up For Italy Test In Turin

The Springboks head into their third Nations Series fixture with a refreshed squad as they prepare to take on Italy in Turin on Saturday, 15 November at 2:40pm.

The clash at the Allianz Stadium marks the halfway point of their tour, following dominant wins against Japan in their opener and France last weekend.

This match will be only the second rugby fixture ever played at the iconic home of Juventus, adding extra anticipation as South Africa continue building momentum.

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With decisive encounters against Ireland and Wales still to come, the focus now shifts to maintaining form while managing player workload.

Rassie Erasmus has opted for a significantly altered match-day squad, driven by long travel demands and the need to preserve key players ahead of their toughest fixtures.

Siya Kolisi will captain the side, while Damian Willemse, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Boan Venter are the only starters to retain their spots from Paris.

Springboks’ New-Look Pack Draws Attention

The Boks’ front row will feature a youthful combination, with Boan Venter (28), Johan Grobbelaar (27) and Jan-Hendrik Porthen sharing just 12 caps between them.

Despite the relative inexperience, analysts believe the squad carries enough firepower to challenge Italy, particularly up front.

Daily Maverick sports editor Craig Ray insists Erasmus’s decisions are deliberate and strategic. He suggests Italy may find it difficult to cope with South Africa’s physical dominance and depth.

“Rassie is no fool. He is managing them really well, and their fitness levels are very good at the moment. We saw that the way they finished in France and the way they finished in general,” said Ray.

Tactical Planning Ahead of Crucial Ireland Showdown

Ray describes the selection as part of a broader plan aimed at next week’s all-important match against Ireland — a team the Springboks have struggled to beat away from home in the Erasmus era.

“Obviously, they want to win this test match, and they need to win it against Ireland next week. The Springboks certainly, in the Rassie Erasmus era, have never beaten Ireland in Ireland.

“I think Rassie’s record is one in five against Ireland since he’s been involved with the Springboks, which was the victory last year at Loftus, so it’s a big game,” Ray added.

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