Willie to bring up 100 caps against Italy

Fullback Willie le Roux will become only the eighth Springbok to reach a 100 caps for South Africa as three other players will make their debuts off the bench.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus made 16 personnel changes to his side for the second Test against Italy in Gqeberha on Saturday, retaining only four players from last week’s starting 15.

Salmaan Moerat will captain the side with Siya Kolisi still nursing a neck injury and Jesse Kriel falling out of the matchday 23 squad.

Asenathi Ntlabakanyane, Cobus Wiese, and Ethan Hooker will make their debuts of the bench.

“Willie has been a stalwart for us in the last few years after making his debut against Italy in Durban in 2013, and he’s a fantastic playmaker, so we are thrilled to see him achieve this incredible feat,” Erasmus said.

Only seven players in Springbok history have played 100 Tests before him, and to reach this milestone is testament to the player that Willie is.

Thomas du Toit, Ruan Nortje, Grant Williams, Makazole Mapimpi, and Evan Roos will all make welcome returns from injuries which ruled them out of action since last season, while it will also mark a significant occasion for Edwill van der Merwe, who’ll also earn just his second cap.

Springbok team: Willie le Roux, Edwill van der Merwe, Canan Moodie, André Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi, Manie Libbok, Grant Williams, Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje, Salmaan Moerat (captain), Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Thomas du Toit.