The Springboks have made wholesale changes for the second test match against Italy.
Three players will make their official Springboks debuts on Saturday.
Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kobus Wiese (Bulls) and Ethan Hooker (Sharks) are all set to earn their first test caps against Italy in the second test match at* on Saturday.
TALENTED TRIO SET TO MAKE THEIR DEBUTS
As mentioned, Ntlabakanye, Wiese and Hooker are all set to earn their maiden Springbok test caps.
Ntlabakanye played for the Springboks during their 54-7 victory over the Barbarians. However, this was not an official test match.
So, this if set to be Ntlabakanye’s first official Springboks test match. As is the case for promising and gritty Bulls lock Wiese as well as the dynamic and skilful, Hooker.
Meanwhile, Willie will run out for his 100th Springboks test cap. Finally, the Wiese brothers make history as the latest brother duo to represent the Boks.
SPRINGBOKS TEAM TO FACE ITALY
15 Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 99 caps, 75 pts (15t)
14 Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 1 cap, 5 pts (1t)
13 Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) – 12 caps, 25 pts (5t)
12 Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 19 caps, 0 pts
11 Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 46 caps, 160 points (32t)
10 Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 19 caps, 98 pts (1t, 30c, 11p)
9 Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 17 caps, 20 pts (4t)
8 Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) – 35 caps, 10 pts (2t)
7 Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 86 caps, 60 pts (8t)
6 Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 26 caps, 20 pts (4t)
5 Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls) – 6 caps, 0 pts
4 Salmaan Moerat (captain, DHL Stormers) – 10 caps, 0 pts
3 Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 17 caps, 0 pts
2 Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 77 caps, 110 pts (22t)
1 Thomas du Toit (Bath) – 23 caps, 5 pts (1t)
Replacements:
16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls) – 4 caps, 5 pts (1t)
17 Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 40 caps, 0 pts
18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions) – uncapped
19 Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls) – uncapped
20 Evan Roos (DHL Stormers) – 7 caps, 0 pts
21 Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers) – 39 caps, 70 pts (14t)
22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) – 8 caps, 52 points (14c, 8p)
23 Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – uncapped
WHICH CHANGES ARE YOU MOST HAPPY ABOUT? WHICH SPRINGBOKS DEBUTANT ARE YOU MOST EXCITED TO SEE RUN OUT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE GREEN AND GOLD ON SATURDAY?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
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