Skip to main content

Springboks team vs Italy: Moerat starts, 14 changes made

Rassie Erasmus has changed 14 of the side that lost 42-38 to the Wallabies in Perth, with only the hooker keeping his place for Saturday's Test in Turin.

Follow-up to Springboks v Italy team to be named on Monday evening

By RuckBee Newsroom1 min read
A comic-style rugby illustration of the Springboks home kit.
AI illustration

Salmaan Moerat gets the nod in the second row as Rassie Erasmus picks a near full-strength Springbok match-23 to face Italy in Turin on Saturday 7 November 2026. He replaces the absent Eben Etzebeth and partners Ruan Nortje.

SuperSport reported 14 changes from the side that started the 42-38 loss to the Wallabies in Perth, with the hooker the only survivor.

Siya Kolisi captains the side, with Jasper Wiese at No 8 and Pieter-Steph du Toit at flank. The bench has a six-two split between forwards and backs, and includes Wessels, Steenekamp, Louw, De Jager, Hanekom, De Villiers, Williams and Libbok.

None of the six uncapped players in the touring squad made the match-23. Erasmus wants to give them chances on tour.

"All our energy is focused on the match against Italy for now," he said.

The stakes are high in the Nations Championship. According to SuperSport, the Boks and New Zealand are level at the top of the southern group, with South Africa nominally ahead on points difference, and the group winners meet in the Finals at Twickenham.

Italy have beaten the Boks only once, 20-18 in Florence in 2016. The Boks won 32-14 in Turin last year.

More on RuckBee: Springboks v Italy team to be named on Monday evening · Springboks vs Italy kick-off in Turin set for 13:40 SA time on Saturday · Italy squad vs Springboks includes ex-Argentina flyhalf Miotti

Sources

All springboks stories
A smiling coach in a green hoodie pulls a player in green kit up a rocky hillside while three teammates look.

Springboks

Springbok Women's Sevens 'A' name Vianca Boer captain for Kenya

Boer leads a young squad under Cecil Afrika in Nairobi, where one SVNS 3 qualifying place is up for grabs and the team left Cape Town on Wednesday 4 November.

A comic-style rugby illustration of the Springboks home kit.

Springboks

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

Rassie Erasmus named six forwards and two backs among the replacements for Saturday 7 November in Turin, and warned the Boks not to underestimate 11th-ranked Italy.

A referee with a raised hand stands between a green-and-gold Springboks player and a blue Italy player, who crouch and glare at each other.

Springboks

Springboks vs Italy kick-off in Turin set for 13:40 SA time on Saturday

Ireland's Eoghan Cross will referee the Test on 7 November, the first of three November games before the Nations Championship Finals Weekend in London.