The Springboks will begin the European leg of their 2026 Nations Championship campaign with a familiar group of players when they take on Italy in Turin on Saturday.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus has named a largely settled matchday 23 for the opening fixture of the competition’s second phase, with the encounter forming the first of three important Tests as South Africa look to secure their place in the Finals Weekend.

There is one notable return to the starting line-up, with lock Salmaan Moerat set to make his first appearance for the Springboks this season after recovering from neck and toe injuries. He missed the first leg of the Nations Championship as well as the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Series.

Moerat will partner Ruan Nortje in the second row, behind a front row of Ox Nche, Thomas du Toit and Malcolm Marx. Captain Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese complete the forward pack.

Erasmus has also kept faith with an established backline. Morne van den Berg and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will link up at halfback, while Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel continue their partnership in midfield.

Ethan Hooker, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Damian Willemse have been selected as the back three.

The replacements bench features six forwards and two backs. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp and Wilco Louw provide front-row cover, with Lood de Jager, Cameron Hanekom and Paul de Villiers completing the forward options. Grant Williams and Manie Libbok are the two backline replacements.

South Africa head into the match at the top of the Southern Hemisphere standings, level with New Zealand on 15 points but ahead on points difference.

The Italy Test is the first of three fixtures that will shape the remainder of the Springboks’ campaign. They travel to Paris to face France on Friday, 13 November, before meeting Ireland in Dublin on Saturday, 21 November. The competition’s Finals Weekend concludes on Sunday, 29 November.

Erasmus knows there is little room for complacency, with all three matches carrying significant importance.

“We have three challenging matches ahead if we want to advance to the last game of the Finals Weekend, so our next three matches are going to be vital to lay a strong foundation for the tour,” he said.

For now, however, the focus is firmly on Italy. Erasmus said the squad had begun preparations in Turin, with some of the Japan-based players arriving ahead of the rest of the group to work with members of the coaching staff.

He added that players coming from the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and France’s Top 14 should settle into the Springbok environment quickly after their recent club commitments.

The coach also highlighted the six uncapped players included in the travelling squad: Riley Norton, Emmanuel Tshituka, Luan Giliomee, Yaqeen Ahmed, Markus Muller and Sebastian de Klerk.

All six have joined the camp and will be introduced to the team’s structures during the week. Erasmus said the coaching staff would monitor their progress and hoped to give them opportunities to show their abilities against top-level opposition during the tour.

Italy, meanwhile, will be looking to make the most of home advantage. Ranked 11th in the world, the hosts are currently at the bottom of the Northern Hemisphere standings and will be eager to start their home campaign with a strong performance.

Erasmus expects a determined challenge, pointing to Italy’s quality across both the forward pack and backline despite several injury absences.

The Springbok coach said his side would need to be accurate in its execution and maintain its intensity for the full 80 minutes, particularly with the stakes rising as the pool matches progress.

Saturday’s meeting in Turin therefore offers South Africa an important first opportunity to build momentum before two further demanding Tests against France and Ireland.

Featured image: Getty Images/David Rogers