Regular captain Siya Kolisi is ruled out through stiffness – first in the neck and then the Achilles tendon – picked up last week.

Vincent Tshituka will earn his first test cap at flank, after impressing against the Barbarians last week.

Fullback Damian Willemse returns for the first time since the World Cup final of 2023, while scrumhalf Faf de Klerk is on the bench.

The Boks are preparing to face Italy in the first of two test matches that constitute the Incoming tour with the final test being against Georgia.

Springbok coach, Rassie Erasmus, says he has studied the Italians’ form in the Six Nations and brought in many seasoned heads to start the season on a strong note.

“We would like to set the tone. Obviously, Italy, for some guys, is a bit of an unknown to us and obviously, we have analysed them from Six Nations and what they did last year. There is a few guys we don’t know. So, we aren’t sure what they will dish up, but to have steady hands and steady start. Hopefully, a good start and we gave some other guys a chance last week, and hopefully, next week we can also, and against Georgia as well. So, more just to steady the boat in the first test match,” says Erasnus.

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