Milestone moment: Willie le Roux celebrates 100th Test as Rassie Erasmus reshuffles side for second Italy clash
Image: BackpagePix
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus made sweeping changes to his team for the second Test against Italy on Saturday in Gqeberha.
Veteran fullback Willie le Roux will play in his 100th Test in a new-look backline that does not feature any player who started against the Azzuri in the first clash in Pretoria. Edwill van der Merwe will get his second cap for the world champions as he joins fellow winger Makazole Mapimpi and Le Roux in the back three for the duel in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (5.10 pm kick-off).
The exciting duo of Grant Williams and Manie Libbok will start as scrumhalf and flyhalf, respectively. In a surprising midfield, Canan Moodie partners with André Esterhuizen to complete the backline.
Sweeping changes for the #Springboks as Willie le Roux hits 100 caps vs Italy. Three uncapped players in Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Cobus Wiese and Ethan Hooker on the bench pic.twitter.com/ZQaNOOssgy — Leighton Koopman (@Leighton_K) July 8, 2025
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Up front, there's a welcome sight of Pieter-Steph du Toit returning after a lengthy injury lay-off and a lock-pairing of Ruan Nortjé and Salmaan Moerat. Moerat will resume the captaincy duties. There is still no sign of regular skipper Siya Kolisi, who missed the previous two games through injury, as the Boks manage their leader.
Erasmus also named three uncapped players, tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye, utility forward Cobus Wiese and utility back Ethan Hooker, as part of a five-three replacement bench split. Wiese could run out with his World Cup-winning brother Jasper when he takes to the field, and they will become the 37th brother-pairing for the national side. The last pair was Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse.
South Africa's eighth Test centurion will be joined by three uncapped players in the #Springboks' match-23 for Saturday's return Test against Italy in Gqeberha 💯#ForeverGreenForeverGold — Springboks (@Springboks) July 8, 2025
Only seven players featured in last weekend's clash after Erasmus promised to ring the changes following a rather disappointing 42-24 victory at Loftus Versfeld.
'Willie has been a stalwart for us in the last few years after making his debut against Italy in Durban in 2013, and he's a fantastic playmaker, so we are thrilled to see him achieve this incredible feat,' Erasmus said about the playmaker's 100th match.
'Only seven players in Springbok history have played 100 Tests before him, and to reach this milestone is testament to the player and team man that Willie is. Having come a long way with him during his career, I have no doubt that he'll put the team before his own achievements this weekend, and as a team we would certainly like to make it a special and memorable occasion for him.'
11 players who are yet to feature for the Boks in 2025 included in the 23 for Saturday – and 3 set for their Test debuts.
Another Rassie curveball.
Willie le Roux to become 8th Springbok centurion. pic.twitter.com/LkaNT8h6Hq — Jon Cardinelli (@jon_cardinelli) July 8, 2025
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