Kriel retains captaincy as Willemse returns

Springboks head coach, Rassie Erasmus, has made five changes to his starting 15 for Saturday’s clash against Italy in Pretoria, with Jesse Kriel leading the world champions for the first time in an official Test.

Loose-forward, Vincent Tshituka, will also make his Test debut in an experienced matchday 23 for the battle at Loftus Versfeld.

Erasmus named a squad that featured 13 players, who were part of the matchday squad who secured a 54-7 victory over the Barbarians in Cape Town last weekend.

With regular skipper Siya Kolisi sidelined due to a niggling neck injury, Kriel retains the captaincy, making him the 67th Springboks skipper.

Meanwhile, veteran second-rower, Eben Etzebeth, who is back from injury, will serve as vice-captain in this encounter.

The clash with the Azzurri will be a significant one for full-back Damian Willemse as he makes his return to the Springboks set-up for the first time since the Rugby World Cup final.

This after a series of injuries curtailed the 27-year-old’s 2024 campaign, while a suspension for a dangerous tackle saw him miss the showdown against the Barbarians.

“The last game I played was the Rugby World Cup final, so I’ll have to get in and do my primary job and hopefully the rest of the boys will take care of me … I know they’ll take care and look after me.”

As for the butterflies, Willemse believes they’ll be gone soon enough.

“I think as soon as I get out onto the field, sing the national anthem and get my first touch of the ball, I’ll probably get into it and forget about the nerves and settle a bit.”

Kick off on Saturday is at 17:10. Written by Ntsako Mkhari