The Springboks are preparing for a demanding European tour as they get ready to face Italy in their opening match of the second phase of the 2026 Nations Championship in Turin on Saturday, November 7.
Head coach Rassie Erasmus has named an experienced match-day squad, with the world champions determined to make a strong start to their European campaign and strengthen their position in the competition.
South Africa will head into the encounter with confidence following an impressive run of results in the opening phase of the Nations Championship, where victories over England, Scotland and Wales helped them secure top spot in the Southern Hemisphere standings.
However, Erasmus knows that the challenges awaiting his team in Europe will require consistency, discipline and the ability to maintain a high level of performance throughout the 80 minutes.
The Springboks will face France in Paris on November 13 before travelling to Dublin to take on Ireland on November 21. The competition will conclude with the Finals Weekend in London from November 27 to 29.
Erasmus has opted for a largely settled starting line-up for the Italian challenge, with captain Siya Kolisi leading an experienced forward pack. The loose trio consists of Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese, while Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx and Thomas du Toit will form the front row.
Salmaan Moerat returns to the starting line-up after recovering from neck and toe injuries that kept him out of the Springboks’ previous Test matches this season. He will partner Ruan Nortje in the second row.
In the backline, Morné van den Berg will partner flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, while Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel form the midfield combination. Ethan Hooker and Kurt-Lee Arendse will provide attacking options on the wings, with Damian Willemse at fullback.
The replacements include Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Wilco Louw, Lood de Jager, Cameron Hanekom, Paul de Villiers, Grant Williams and Manie Libbok.
The selection reflects Erasmus’s desire to combine experience with fresh energy as the Springboks navigate a demanding sequence of international fixtures. Speaking ahead of the encounter, Erasmus emphasised the importance of starting the European campaign positively.
“We have three challenging matches ahead if we want to advance to the last game of the Finals Weekend, so our next three matches are going to be vital to lay a strong foundation for the tour,” he said.
The coach added that the team’s immediate attention was firmly on Italy, despite the difficult assignments against France and Ireland that lie ahead.
Erasmus acknowledged that Italy would be highly motivated to perform in front of their home supporters and warned that the hosts possessed quality players capable of testing the Springboks. He identified accurate execution and maintaining intensity for the full 80 minutes as crucial factors in determining the outcome.
Italy, meanwhile, will enter the contest with several injury concerns. Head coach Gonzalo Quesada has confirmed that a number of key players are unavailable, including captain Michele Lamaro, centre Tommaso Menoncello, Ignacio Brex and loose forward Sebastian Negri. Despite these setbacks, Italy will be eager to make a statement against the reigning world champions and improve their position in the Nations Championship.
The Azzurri finished at the bottom of the Northern Hemisphere standings after the opening phase of the competition, having lost all three of their matches.
South Africa will therefore be wary of an opponent determined to respond positively, particularly with the 2027 Rugby World Cup approaching.
The Springboks have historically enjoyed the upper hand in this fixture, although Italy famously beat them 20-18 in Florence in 2016. The two teams also met in Turin last year, when South Africa secured a 32-14 victory.
Saturday’s encounter will provide another opportunity for the Springboks to demonstrate their strength and depth as they continue their preparations for next year’s global showpiece.
The match kicks off at 13:40 South African time and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.