Rassie Erasmus Names Vincent Tshituka In Strong Springboks Side For Italy
Rassie Erasmus Names Vincent Tshituka In Strong Springboks Side For Italy
Vincent Tshituka to debut as Jesse Kriel captains South Africa vs. Italy in Pretoria. Full Springboks lineup, kickoff time and where to watch in the USA.
Vincent Tshituka will make his official test debut for South Africa on Saturday when the Springboks face Italy in the Castle Lager Incoming Series opener at Loftus Versfeld.
Head coach Rassie Erasmus has named a battle-hardened matchday 23, with Jesse Kriel set to captain the side for the first time in a test match.
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Tshituka, 26, gets his first cap after a standout performance in last week’s 54-7 win over Barbarians, where he crossed the try line twice.
The dynamic loose forward replaces Jean-Luc du Preez, who is on family duty, while Marco van Staden shifts to the opposite flank and Jasper Wiese returns at No. 8.
With regular captain Siya Kolisi ruled out due to a minor injury, Kriel takes over the armband, becoming the 67th player to lead the Springboks.
Veteran lock Eben Etzebeth, who returns from injury, will serve as vice-captain and partners Lood de Jager in the second row.
Damian Willemse also makes a welcome return after an injury-hit start to 2024 and a recent suspension. He will start at fullback in a dangerous back three alongside Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse.
The midfield pairing of Kriel and Damian de Allende remains unchanged, while Handre Pollard and Morne van den Berg form the halfback combination.
“We’re trying to manage game time and build cohesion at the same time,” Erasmus said. “Vincent has really impressed us since joining the squad, and this is a well-earned opportunity for him. He’s physically gifted and tactically sharp.”
In the front row, Wilco Louw starts at tighthead prop, with Malcolm Marx at hooker and Ox Nche at loosehead.
On the bench, the Boks have gone with a 6-2 split, with Willie le Roux and Faf de Klerk covering the backs. Should le Roux take the field, he will earn his 99th test cap.
South Africa boasts a commanding record over Italy, winning 15 of their 16 previous meetings.
Saturday’s clash will be the first between the two sides at Loftus Versfeld, where the Boks enjoy a 78% win rate.
Kickoff is at 17:10 local time. Audiences in the United States can watch live on FloRugby at 10:10 a.m. ET.
Springboks Lineup
15. Damian Willemse, 14. Cheslin Kolbe, 13. Jesse Kriel (captain), 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10. Handre Pollard, 9. Morne van den Berg, 8. Jasper Wiese, 7. Vincent Tshituka, 6. Marco van Staden, 5. Lood de Jager, 4. Eben Etzebeth (vice-captain), 3. Wilco Louw, 2. Malcolm Marx, 1. Ox Nche
Replacements: 16. Bongi Mbonambi, 17. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18. Vincent Koch, 19. RG Snyman, 20. Franco Mostert, 21. Kwagga Smith, 22. Faf de Klerk, 23. Willie le Roux
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