Springboks turn to a returning lock for Italy challenge
TURIN — Salmaan Moerat will make his first Springbok appearance of the season against Italy on Saturday, returning from neck and toe injuries in an otherwise settled team selected by Rassie Erasmus. The lock partners Ruan Nortje as South Africa begin the European phase of their Nations Championship campaign.
Captain Siya Kolisi leads a pack featuring Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit in the front row, with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese completing the loose trio. The selection gives Moerat an experienced group around him as he returns to international action.
Morné van den Berg and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu start at scrumhalf and flyhalf, supported by the established centre partnership of Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel. Ethan Hooker and Kurt-Lee Arendse occupy the wings, with Damian Willemse at fullback.
Erasmus has chosen six forwards among his replacements, providing substantial reinforcement for the scrum and contact exchanges. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp and Wilco Louw cover the front row, while Lood de Jager, Cameron Hanekom and Paul de Villiers complete the forward contingent. Grant Williams and Manie Libbok provide the backline options.
The match carries consequences for South Africa’s pursuit of a place in the competition’s title decider. Willemse and Nortje said this week that Italy could not be underestimated, with the leading teams from the northern and southern hemisphere groups due to meet in the final at Twickenham on 29 November.
Italy enter the contest with a considerably changed side. Coach Gonzalo Quesada has made 10 changes, mostly enforced by injuries, and handed flanker Samuele Locatelli his debut. South Africa won the corresponding encounter in Turin 32-14 last year, but Wiese and Willemse have warned against treating another victory as straightforward.
After Italy, the Springboks face France in Paris on 13 November and Ireland in Dublin on 21 November. Those fixtures complete their league-phase programme before the Finals Weekend, making Saturday’s performance the first step in a demanding closing stretch.
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