After securing a 3-1 series win over the All Blacks during Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, the Springboks then fielded a new-look side in a one-off Test against the Wallabies at the end of September, which ultimately played a part in a shock defeat.

Since then, there has been a month for introspection, but it will certainly be interesting to see how Rassie Erasmus now opts to balance his selections for this Saturday’s Test against Italy.

Considering it will precede high-intensity matches against France and Ireland – before the Finals Weekend in the Nations Championship – Erasmus may be tempted to once again mix and match with his first-choice selections.

With this in mind, it has been confirmed that the Springbok coach will make his team announcement on Monday, but only at 18:30 (SA time).

South Africa have already headed on tour without the likes of Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, Andre Esterhuizen and Handre Pollard, who are all injured, while there are six uncapped players in the squad.

This Saturday’s clash could quite possibly present an opportunity to hand a Test debut to one or two of those newcomers, which include Yaqeen Ahmed, Sebastian de Klerk, Luan Giliomee, Markus Muller, Riley Norton and Emmanuel Tshituka.

The Springboks currently lead the Southern Hemisphere standings in the Nations Championship on points’ difference, as they are tied on 15 points with New Zealand. 

The Springboks face Italy as the Nations Championship returns

Round 4
Friday, 6 November
10:10pm Ireland vs Argentina, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
Saturday, 7 November
1:40pm: Italy vs South Africa, Estadio Camilo Cano, La Nucia
4:10pm: Scotland vs New Zealand, Murrayfield, Edinburgh
6:40pm: Wales vs Japan, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
10:10pm: France vs Fiji, Parc Olympique Lyonnais, Lyon
Sunday, 8 November
5:10pm: England vs Australia, Twickenham, London

HERE IS THE BOKS’ MOST RECENT RECORD AGAINST ITALY