The Springboks are coming off an intense battle against France, and there is expected be at least one enforced change for the next Test in Italy as Lood de Jager is likely to face a suspension after receiving a red card in Paris.
It’s unlikely he would have featured against Italy anyway as Rassie Erasmus is expected to rest a number of first-choice players for this weekend’s game in order to distribute game-time and refresh the team after an emotionally and physically taxing clash at the Stade de France.
An interesting selection could see young Ethan Hooker move off the wing to start at inside centre, which is seen as a position where he would be best suited in the long term.
There could also be an opportunity for former Junior Springbok prop and captain Zachary Porthen to earn another Test cap after debuting against Japan.
Talented backs such as Edwill van der Merwe and Morne van den Berg could be thrown into the mix in addition to forwards such as Jean Kleyn and BJ Dixon.
The team will be named at 13:45 (SA time) on Thursday, while kick off for Saturday’s game is at 14:40.
HERE IS HOW THE SPRINGBOKS COULD LINE UP AGAINST ITALY:
South Africa (probable): 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Ethan Hooker, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Kwagga Smith, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Jean Kleyn, 4 RG Snyman, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp.
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Boan Venter, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Ben-Jason Dixon, 21 Andre Esterhuizen, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.
Reminder of full touring squad
Forwards: Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Ben-Jason Dixon (Stormers), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Johan Grobbelaar (Bulls), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Zachary Porthen (Stormers), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Boan Venter (Edinburgh), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks).
Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Andre Esterhuizen (Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Ethan Hooker (Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Manie Libbok (Kintetsu Liners), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Handre Pollard (Bulls), Cobus Reinach (Stormers), Morne van den Berg (Lions), Edwill van der Merwe (Sharks), Damian Willemse (Stormers), Grant Williams (Sharks).
Players on standby:
Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Ulster), Neethling Fouche (Stormers), Bongi Mbonambi (Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Evan Roos (Stormers), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks).
Backs: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Sebastian De Klerk (Bulls), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks).
