The Springboks are bracing for a far tougher test against Italy than the one they faced against the Barbarians when the two teams meet at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus confirmed that around 50 players would have had game time after the opening four fixtures of the season.
The Springboks showed very little signs of the rust as they defied the wet conditions to produce a clinical and composed 54-7 victory over an outclassed Barbarians side in Cape Town.
Springbok centre Jesse Kriel says he is hugely honoured and ready to accept the responsibility of being Springbok captain against the Barbarians on Saturday.
Jesse Kriel will captain the Springboks against the Barbarians on Saturday after Siya Kolisi was forced to withdraw with a late niggle.
Debutant Marnus van der Merwe knows he is scrumming amongst legends when the Springboks face the Barbarians in the Qatar Airways Cup at the DHL Stadium on Saturday.