Willie le Roux reaches 100 Test caps as Springboks ring the changes for Italy clash
Springbok veteran fullback Willie le Roux is set to play in his 100th Test cap, becoming only the eighth South African to do so.
Image: BackpagePix
The Springboks will take to the field with a restructured squad on Saturday when they face Italy in the second Castle Lager Incoming Series Test at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.
And in what will be a milestone moment, veteran fullback Willie le Roux will earn his 100th Test cap, becoming only the eighth South African to do so.
Le Roux, who made his Springbok debut against Italy in Durban in 2013, will start at fullback in a side that sees wholesale changes from the team that defeated the Azzurri 42-24 last weekend in Pretoria. While seven players retain their places from that win, the rest of the lineup has been rotated, with coach Rassie Erasmus taking the opportunity to test squad depth and reward form.
Salmaan Moerat will captain the Springboks for the second time in his career, stepping into the leadership role as Siya Kolisi continues to be managed due to a niggle. Moerat last captained the side during the 2024 Rugby Championship match against Argentina.
Three players are set to make their Springbok debuts off the bench. Prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, who recently impressed against the Barbarians, is joined by utility forward Cobus Wiese and utility back Ethan Hooker. Wiese, the brother of starting No.8 Jasper Wiese, and Hooker have both been standout performers for their franchises this year.
Among the backs, the Springboks will showcase a new combination. Le Roux will be flanked by wings Edwill van der Merwe and local favourite Makazole Mapimpi. In midfield, Canan Moodie pairs with Andre Esterhuizen, while Manie Libbok and Grant Williams form the halfback pairing. Van der Merwe’s return is notable, as he last played in the season opener against Wales, where he scored a try on debut.
The forward pack sees a robust combination of experience and returning players. Jasper Wiese and Marco van Staden are joined by Pieter-Steph du Toit in the loose trio. Moerat and Ruan Nortje, both of whom are returning from injury layoffs, start at lock, while Thomas du Toit joins Wilco Louw and Malcolm Marx in the front row.
On the bench, the Springboks continue with their preferred 5-3 split. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Ox Nche, and debutant Ntlabakanye will provide front-row cover, with Cobus Wiese and Evan Roos ready to slot into the loose forward or lock positions. The backline bench includes Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, and Ethan Hooker.
This match carries particular emotional significance for the Wiese brothers, who become the 37th set of siblings to don the green and gold in a Test match. The most recent pair before them were Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse.
The team selection underlines Erasmus’ commitment to squad rotation and development ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Thirteen members of the matchday squad are Rugby World Cup winners, a testament to the depth and experience at South Africa’s disposal.
Italy, meanwhile, will be seeking redemption after last week’s defeat, and Erasmus has prepared his squad to expect a fierce challenge from the visitors.
The Test kicks off at 5.10pm and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Springbok Team to Face Italy in Gqeberha:
Starting XV:
- Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls) – 99 caps
- Edwill van der Merwe (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 1 cap
- Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls) – 12 caps
- Andre Esterhuizen (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 19 caps
- Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 46 caps
- Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 19 caps
- Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 17 caps
- Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks) – 35 caps
- Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz) – 86 caps
- Marco van Staden (Vodacom Bulls) – 26 caps
- Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls) – 6 caps
- Salmaan Moerat (captain, DHL Stormers) – 10 caps
- Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls) – 17 caps
- Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 77 caps
- Thomas du Toit (Bath) – 23 caps
Replacements:
- Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Vodacom Bulls) – 4 caps
- Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – 40 caps
- Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions) – uncapped
- Cobus Wiese (Vodacom Bulls) – uncapped
- Evan Roos (DHL Stormers) – 7 caps
- Cobus Reinach (DHL Stormers) – 39 caps
- Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers) – 8 caps
- Ethan Hooker (Hollywoodbets Sharks) – uncapped