Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has named a strong, largely first-choice team for Saturday’s Test against Italy, with lock Salmaan Moerat the only player in the matchday 23 yet to appear for South Africa in 2025.
Moerat returns after missing the first leg of the Nations Championship and the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Series because of neck and toe injuries. He will partner Ruan Nortje in the second row.
The forward pack also includes Ox Nche, Thomas du Toit and Malcolm Marx in the front row, with captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese completing the loose trio.
Morne van den Berg and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will form the half-back pairing, while Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel continue in midfield. Ethan Hooker, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Damian Willemse make up the back three.
Erasmus has selected six forwards and two backs among the replacements. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp and Wilco Louw provide front-row cover, with Lood de Jager covering lock. Cameron Hanekom and Paul de Villiers complete the forward options, while Grant Williams and Manie Libbok are the backline replacements.
South Africa lead the Southern Hemisphere standings on 15 points, level with New Zealand but ahead on points difference.
The Springboks will travel to Paris to play France on Friday, 13 November, before going to Dublin for their final pool match against Ireland on Saturday, 21 November. Finals Weekend concludes on Sunday, 29 November.
Kick-off is at 13:40 South Africa time.
South Africa team
15 Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 55 caps, 76 points (8 tries, 9 conversions, 4 penalties, 2 drop goals)
14 Kurt-Lee Arendse (Mitsubishi Dynaboars) – 35 caps, 135 points (27 tries)
13 Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles) – 94 caps, 125 points (25 tries)
12 Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 103 caps, 65 points (13 tries)
11 Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 14 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) – 25 caps, 195 points (9 tries, 50 conversions, 15 penalties)
9 Morne van den Berg (10bet Lions) – 11 caps, 37 points (7 tries, 1 conversion)
8 Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) – 50 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 102 caps, 75 points (15 tries)
6 Siya Kolisi (captain, DHL Stormers) – 107 caps, 75 points (15 tries)
5 Ruan Nortje (Kubota Spears) – 24 caps, 5 points (1 try)
4 Salmaan Moerat (Stade Rochelais) – 11 caps, 0 points
3 Thomas du Toit (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 37 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
2 Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 94 caps, 145 points (29 tries)
1 Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 53 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls) – 15 caps, 10 points (2 tries); 17 Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls) – 23 caps, 10 points (2 tries); 18 Wilco Louw (DHL Stormers) – 36 caps, 10 points (2 tries); 19 Lood de Jager (Wild Knights) – 78 caps, 25 points (5 tries); 20 Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls) – 6 caps, 10 points (2 tries); 21 Paul de Villiers (DHL Stormers) – 5 caps, 5 points (1 try); 22 Grant Williams (Kobe Steelers) – 31 caps, 40 points (8 tries); 23 Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners) – 34 caps, 149 points (2 tries, 50 conversions, 13 penalties).
South Africa’s record is Played 19, Won 18, Lost 1, with 883 points for and 233 against. They have scored 117 tries and conceded 21, with a highest score and biggest win of 101-0 and 101 points respectively. Their win percentage is 94,7%.
