Willie le Roux will become the eighth Springbok centurion on Saturday when South Africa meet Italy in the second Castle Lager Incoming Series Test at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, in a new-look team which will be led by Salmaan Moerat and includes three uncapped players on the bench.
A frustrated Rassie Erasmus said he would reconsider his pre-planned selection for the second Castle Lager Tour test in Gqeberha next week, after a “disappointing” 42-24 victory over Italy.
The Springbok announced the start of their season in spectacular fashion – at time – at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, beating a willing Italy 42-24 in their first of two Castle Lager Incoming Series Tests.
Jesse Kriel, who will become South Africa’s 67th Test captain when he leads the Springboks against Italy at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, was delighted about the honour bestowed upon him, but he warned that it would be remiss to underestimate the Italians going into the clash.
Vincent Tshituka will make his Test debut in an experienced match-23 named by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus for Saturday’s Castle Lager Incoming Series opener against Italy in Pretoria, with Jesse Kriel captaining the side for the first time in a Test.
South Africa’s test schedule for this year is yet to be finalised but it is expected they will play against France and Ireland in a four-test programme in November.
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The Springboks will welcome Italy, Georgia, Australia and Argentina to South Africa in 2025, SA Rugby confirmed.
Nomawethu Mabenge and the uncapped Nombuyekezo Mdliki have been drafted into the Springbok Women squad as injury replacements and were included in the match-23 for South Africa’s final WXV 2 match, against Italy at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday.
There is the little matter of last year’s result, but for the Springbok Women, Saturday’s final WXV 2 match against Italy at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town is all about finishing the season well and with their tails up.
Switzerland outclassed Italy to secure a 2-0 victory in Berlin to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Euro 2024.