Springboks bench vs Italy leans on forwards, with Libbok and Williams the only backs

Rassie Erasmus has picked a bench of six forwards and two backs for the Springboks' Test against Italy, according to TimesLIVE.

Erasmus announced the team on Monday 2 November for the match in Turin on Saturday 7 November. The forwards on the bench are Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Wilco Louw, Lood de Jager, Cameron Hanekom and Paul de Villiers. Grant Williams and Manie Libbok are the two backs.

Siya Kolisi captains the team. The front row is Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit, with Salmaan Moerat partnering Ruan Nortje at lock. Moerat is the only player in the 23 to make his first appearance of the season, after missing earlier games with neck and toe injuries. Cheslin Kolbe and Eben Etzebeth are injured and absent from the squad.

Erasmus said of the group: "They are special players, who all bring something different to the team, and we have full faith in their talent and skillsets."

He also warned against taking Italy lightly. They are ranked 11th in the world and last in the Northern Hemisphere standings, and Erasmus said the Boks dare not underestimate them.

The stakes are clear in the standings. South Africa and New Zealand are level on 15 points, with the Springboks top on points difference. "We have three challenging matches ahead if we want to advance to the last game of the Finals Weekend," Erasmus said.

After Italy, the Boks play France in Paris on Friday 13 November and Ireland in Dublin on Saturday 21 November, before the finals weekend ending on Sunday 29 November.

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