Vincent Tshituka set for full Bok debut as Erasmus names team to face Italy

After an impressive performance against the Barbarians, Tshituka has been given a well-deserved full debut.

He will be joined by a number of players who were part of the side that dispatched the Baabaas on Saturday, and several Springbok stars marking their return to the side for the first time in 2025.

Veteran lock Eben Etzebeth returns to partner Lood de Jager in the second row, while No 8  Jasper Wiese is back in the loose trio alongside Tshituka and Marco van Staden. Wilco Louw gets another chance to show what he can do up front in a front row featuring last week's starters Malcolm Marx and Ox Nche.

At the back, Damian Willemse makes his long-awaited return to the green and gold, as does flyhalf Handre Pollard. The rest of the backline is unchanged from the one that did battle last week, with Jesse Kriel continuing to captain in the absence of the injured Siya Kolisi as he partners Damian de Allende in the midfield. Morne van den Berg gets another chance at scrumhalf, while dangerous duo Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse are back to wreak their regular brand of havoc.

There are also several welcome returns amongst a new-look replacement bench, including the return of scrumhalf Faf de Klerk, who like Willemse is back after a long injury-enforced absence.

De Klerk is joined by fellow 2025 debutants Bongi Mbonambi, Willie le Loux, Vincent Koch and RG Snyman, while Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Franco Mostert and Kwagga Smith retain their places on the bench in a six-two split.

"We have a big squad, and we would like to balance the game time within the group, while at the same time maintaining continuity in selection, and we believe this is the team that will be best suited for what we want to achieve against Italy," said Erasmus.

"We are also fortunate to have a few experienced players back from injury, who will be keen to make their mark in the game."

Commenting on Kolisiâ™s injury, Erasmus said: "Siya unfortunately picked up a niggle, but Marco did a good job at flanker last week and he is one of the core players in our team, so we are blessed to have such depth in the squad.

"If one goes through this team, there are so many leaders, and we were impressed with how Jesse accepted the responsibility of wearing the captainâ™s armband last week. He is a player who leads by example on and off the field, and he thoroughly deserves this honour."

The Bok coach was also delighted for Tshituka, who delivered a strong performance against the Barbarians last week, scoring two tries in his first game in the Bok jersey.

"Vincent has fitted into our structures really well and he showed last week that he has the potential to play Test rugby, so we are excited to see what he can do against Italy and to see him make his debut," said the Bok coach.

Saturday's match kicks off at 17h10.

Springboks - 15 Damian Willemse, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel (captain), 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche.

Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Franco Mostert, 21 Kwagga Smith, 22 Faf de Klerk, 23 Willie le Roux.

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