Rassie Erasmus selected 'powerful' Springboks team to take on Italy - John Dobson

John Maytham, standing in for CapeTalk's Lester Kiewit, speaks to Stormers head coach John Dobson.

Listen below: 

South Africa’s back-to-back World Champions are set to face Italy in Pretoria on Saturday, 5 July, at 5.10 pm in the Castle Lager Incoming Series.

The match will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus has named his matchday squad, handing flanker Vincent Tshituka his Test debut and appointing Jesse Kriel as captain for the first time at international level. Regular skipper Siya Kolisi misses out after sustaining a minor injury last week.

The squad includes 13 players who featured in the dominant 54-7 win over the Barbarians in Cape Town. Towering lock Eben Etzebeth, back from injury, will serve as vice-captain.

The match marks a significant return for Damian Willemse, who makes his first appearance since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final. After an injury-hit start to 2024 and a suspension that ruled him out of the Barbarians clash, Willemse is back at fullback, joining an electric back three with Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse.

Faf de Klerk also returns, having last featured against Ireland before an injury cut his 2024 season short. Jasper Wiese is another returning name in the pack.

Erasmus has stuck largely with the backline that impressed against the Barbarians. The only changes are Willemse at fullback and Handré Pollard starting at flyhalf, where he’ll link up with rising scrumhalf Morne van den Berg. Damian de Allende and Kriel continue their midfield partnership.

The bench features a 6–2 forwards-to-backs split, with veteran hooker Bongi Mbonambi joined by props Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Vincent Koch, lock RG Snyman, and versatile forwards Franco Mostert and Kwagga Smith.

This clash promises to be a showcase of experienced returnees and rising talent as the Springboks continue building towards the rest of their 2025 season.

Dobson explains that Erasmus' selections for every match are 'clever, powerful', building a team with unmatched depth.

"He's so absolutely committed to building the best team... I think he wants to have this monstrous, 32 sort of team for the 2027 Rugby World Cup..."

- John Dobson, Head Coach - Stormers

"South Africa hasn't been known for innovation in rugby for years, but now we are... It's very powerful."

- John Dobson, Head Coach - Stormers

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the full conversation.