By TURIN — Springbok Coach Rassie Erasmus has named a formidable, battle-hardened matchday-23 for Saturday’s opening clash of the second phase of the 2026 Nations Championship against Italy at the Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino.
With the competition’s high-stakes Finals Weekend looming in late November, Erasmus has opted for continuity, selecting a largely settled squad that balances seasoned veterans with sharp, in-form talent.
The reigning world champions currently top the Southern Hemisphere standings, locked on 15 points with New Zealand, but sitting pretty at the summit thanks to a superior points difference.
The Pack: Moerat Returns to Fuel Forward Physicality
The standout inclusion in the starting XV is lock Salmaan Moerat, who pulls on the green and gold jersey for the first time this season. Having shaken off the persistent neck and toe injuries that sidelined him through the opening leg of the Nations Championship and the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Series, Moerat slots straight into the engine room. He will partner with the indefatigable Ruan Nortje.
Ahead of them, a monstrous front row features Ox Nche, Thomas du Toit, and hooker Malcolm Marx—the latter needing just five more Test appearances to join rugby’s exclusive 100-caps club. Commanding the loose trio behind them will be captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Jasper Wiese.
Erasmus has maintained a heavy-artillery approach on the bench, opting for a traditional six-two split among the reserves. Front-row cover will be provided by Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, and Wilco Louw, while Lood de Jager, Cameron Hanekom, and Paul de Villiers complete a powerful forward contingent on the bench.
Backline Continuity and Tactical Control
In the backline, halfbacks Morne van den Berg and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu are entrusted with dictating the tempo and tactical chess match. Outside them, the stellar, experienced midfield pairing of Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel—who is now just five tests away from his own century milestone—will look to shut down the Italian channels.
The dynamic back three features Ethan Hooker on the wing alongside Kurt-Lee Arendse, with Damian Willemse sweeping at fullback. Dynamic backline support from the bench will come via the explosive Grant Williams and flyhalf Manie Libbok.
Respect for the Azzurri
While history heavily favors the visitors—South Africa has won 18 of their 19 prior encounters against Italy, with the Azzurri’s solitary historic upset coming in Florence in 2016—Erasmus has issued strict warnings against complacency. Italy enters the fixture ranked 11th in the world, eager to climb out of the Northern Hemisphere basement.
“Italy are a quality team who will enter this match with immense motivation… and they have challenged us well before,” Erasmus noted. “They have quality forwards and backline players, and although they are missing a few key players due to injury, they have a talented squad with players who will certainly want to make their mark with the 2027 Rugby World Cup less than a year away.”
Following Saturday’s encounter in Turin, which kicks off at 13h40 (SA time) and will be broadcast live on SuperSport, the Springboks will travel to Paris to face France on Friday, 13 November, before concluding their pool fixtures against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday, 21 November.
Springbok Team to Face Italy:
Forwards: 1 Ox Nche, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Thomas du Toit, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 5 Ruan Nortje, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese.
Backs: 9 Morne van den Berg, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 11 Ethan Hooker, 12 Damian de Allende, 13 Jesse Kriel, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 15 Damian Willemse.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Gerhard Steenekamp, 18 Wilco Louw, 19 Lood de Jager, 20 Cameron Hanekom, 21 Paul de Villiers, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.
