Rassie: Test debuts in the plans for Springbok youngsters

The Springboks have headed on their end-of-year tour with six uncapped players in the travelling squad – Riley Norton, Emmanuel Tshituka, Luan Giliomee, Yaqeen Ahmed, Markus Muller and Sebastian de Klerk.

Unfortunately, Ahmed has picked up a shoulder injury, and may have to return home for further scans.

Looking at the squad options, though, Norton and Giliomee could be the first in line to receive an opportunity for a Test debut in one of the upcoming matches, with France and Ireland next up before the Finals Weekend.

“They (the uncapped players) all joined us in camp today and are excited about the tour ahead, so we’ll expose them to our structures this week and monitor how they progress and hopefully we’ll be able to give them a chance to show what they can do at this level against top opposition in the next few weeks,” Rassie Erasmus commented.

“They are special players, who all bring something different to the team, and we have full faith in their talent and skillsets.”

Springboks refuse to underestimate Italy

With Italy currently ranked 11th in the world and determined to work their way up the Northern Hemisphere standings – where they currently occupy the last position on the log – Erasmus expected a spirited performance from the hosts.

“Italy are a quality team who will enter this match with immense motivation with an eye on trying to start their home leg on a positive note in front of their home crowd, and they have challenged us well before, so we have no doubt they will come out passionate and driven as ever,” said Erasmus.

“They have quality forwards and backline players, and although they are missing a few key players due to injury, they have a talented squad with players who will certainly want to make their mark with the 2027 Rugby World Cup less than a year away, so they will give everything on Saturday.

“The vital factors for us, however, will be to be accurate in our execution and to play for the full 80 minutes, especially given the high stakes at the end of these three pool matches.

“Make no mistake though, they will be raring to go, not only with the Nations Cup in mind, but also to take full advantage of these matches as all the participating teams in the competition are preparing for the Rugby World Cup next year.”

Miscellaneous:

• The Springboks have faced Italy 18 times and won 17 of those matches. Their only defeat was in Florence in 2016, where Italy pipped the Boks by 20-18.
• This will mark the second time the teams face one another in Turin – their first outing in the city was last year, when the Springboks won 32-14.
• Jesse Kriel requires only five more Test caps following this encounter to reach the significant milestone of earning 100 Test appearances.
• 2025 World Rugby and SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year, Malcolm Marx, needs to play only five more Tests to join the exclusive 100s club.
• Salmaan Moerat will play his first Test of the season in the Bok jersey after recovering from the injuries that sidelined him for the team’s previous Test matches.
• The total Test caps for the Springbok starting line-up is 835.
• There are 357 caps in the backline, with 478 caps among the forwards. On the bench, there are a further 208 caps.
• The average caps per player in the backline is 51, the forwards 60, while the players on the bench average 26.