Vincent Tshituka will make his Test debut in an experienced match-23 named by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus for Saturday’s Incoming Series opener against Italy in Pretoria.
Jesse Kriel will captain the side for the first time in a Test.
Erasmus named a squad that feature 13 players who defeated the Barbarians 54-7 in Cape Town, and with regular Springbok captain Siya Kolisi out after picking up a niggle last week, Kriel retains the captaincy, making him the 67th Springbok captain. Eben Etzebeth, who is back from injury, will serve as vice-captain in the clash.
Return to the Springbok fold
The Test will mark a significant occasion for Damian Willemse, who returns to the Springbok fold for the first time since the Rugby World Cup final after a series of injuries curtailed his 2024 season, while a suspension for a dangerous tackle saw him miss the outing against the Barbarians.
To Erasmus’s delight, Faf de Klerk, who last wore the green and gold jersey against Ireland in 2024 before his season was cut short by injury, will also return to the field along with Jasper Wiese.
Erasmus opted for largely the same backline that played against the Barbarians, with the only new players being Rugby World Cup winners Willemse at fullback and Handre Pollard at flyhalf, where the latter will pair up with exciting scrumhalf Morne van den Berg.
Willemse, meanwhile, will form an exciting back three with wingers Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse, while Damian de Allende and Kriel retain their places in the midfield.
Expecting a child
There are three personnel changes in the forward pack, with Wiese replacing Jean-Luc du Preez, whose wife is expecting a child, while Etzebeth takes over from the injured Jean Kleyn in the engine room, and Wilco Louw will start at tighthead prop in a front row with Ox Nche and Malcolm Marx.
Erasmus opted for a split of six forwards and two backs on the replacements bench, where experienced hooker Bongi Mbonambi will provide front row cover with props Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Vincent Koch, along with lock RG Snyman and utility forwards Franco Mostert and Kwagga Smith.
The two backline players on the bench are De Klerk and Willie le Roux, who will earn his 99th Test cap if he takes the field, taking him one Test closer to joining the exclusive club of Springbok centurions.
The match kicks off at 17:10.
A look at the SCHOOLS the Springbok squad for Saturday attended:
| Position | Player | School |
| 15 | Damian Willemse | Paul Roos |
| 14 | Cheslin Kolbe | Brackenfell |
| 13 | Jesse Kriel | Maritzburg College |
| 12 | Damian De Allende | Milnerton |
| 11 | Kurt-Lee Arendse | Paulus Joubert |
| 10 | Handre Pollard | Paarl Gimnasium |
| 9 | Morne van den Berg | Linden |
| 8 | Jasper Wiese | Upington |
| 7 | Vincent Tshituka | Northcliff High School |
| 6 | Marco van Staden | Hoërskool Bekker |
| 5 | Lood de Jager | Hoërskool Hugenote, Springs |
| 4 | Eben Etzebeth | Tygerberg |
| 3 | Wilco Louw | HTS Drostdy |
| 2 | Malcolm Marx | KES |
| 1 | Ox Nche | HTS Louis Botha |
| Reserves | ||
| 16 | Bongi Mbonambi | Bethlehem Voortrekker Hoërskool |
| 17 | Jan-Hendrik Wessels | Grey College |
| 18 | Vincent Koch | Hugenote Hoërskool, Wellington |
| 19 | RG Snyman | Affies |
| 20 | Franco Mostert | Brits |
| 21 | Kwagga Smith | HTS Middelburg |
| 22 | Faf de Klerk | Waterkloof |
| 23 | Willie le Roux | Paul Roos |
Who’s the most famous rugby player who attended YOUR school?
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