Handré Pollard returns to the Springbok starting lineup for Saturday’s match against Italy in Turin.
The veteran flyhalf, who last featured in the 24-17 loss to the All Blacks at Eden Park, headlines a host of changes as the Boks look to continue their unbeaten run on tour.
Erasmus has overhauled his starting XV, making 11 changes.
Only Boan Venter, Siya Kolisi, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Damian Willemse have retained their starting spots from Paris, while Erasmus has largely kept faith with the same bench – with Kwagga Smith returning in place of Johan Grobbelaar, who earns a promotion to the starting hooker role.
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Erasmus has named a new-look front row of Venter, Grobbelaar and Zachary Porthen, the young tighthead who made his debut against Japan in London.
Behind them, Jean Kleyn returns for his first Test since the 2023 World Cup final, pairing with Franco Mostert in the second row.
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Kolisi will line up in the back row with Ben-Jason Dixon, who earns his first start of the season, and Marco van Staden, who wears the No 8 jersey.
The Bok backline also has a new feel to it, with Morné van den Berg and Pollard dictating play at halfback, and Ethan Hooker and Canan Moodie forming a physical centre pairing.
Arendse and Edwill van der Merwe have been selected on the wings, with Willemse at fullback.
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“We’re looking to build depth and test combinations while keeping our standards high,” Erasmus said. “Italy are a proud team, and they’ll come at us with everything, especially playing at home. We’ve got to be sharp and physical to meet that challenge.”
SPRINGBOKS – 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Ethan Hooker, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Marco van Staden, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Franco Mostert, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Zachary Porthen, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Boan Venter.
Bench: 16 Gerhard Steenekamp, 17 Wilco Louw, 18 RG Snyman, 19 Ruan Nortjé, 20 André Esterhuizen, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.
Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
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