Faf de Klerk returns to Boks squad v Italy

Yokohama Canon Eagles scrum-half Faf de Klerk has been named among the replacements for the Springboks' Test match against Italy at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday.

The 33-year-old double World Cup winner is set to wear the green and gold jersey for the first time since July 2024 when they suffered a last-gasp 24-25 home defeat to Ireland.

Picture courtesy of JRLO

Mbombela native de Klerk suffered a season-ending hand injury against TJ Perenara’s Black Rams Tokyo on March 15 and returned to his homeland to undergo surgery.

Club teammate Jesse Kriel captains his country for the first time in a Test match having led the Springboks in their 54-7 demolition of the Barbarians - an uncapped match - in Cape Town on Saturday.

Head coach Rassie Erasmus' has restored fit-again Urayasu D-Rocks captain Jasper Wiese who replaces Jean-Luc du Preez whose wife is expecting a child. The former Leicester Tigers number eight has been out of action since sustaining a neck injury in April.

Hollywoodbets Sharks lock Eben Etzebeth, who will serve as vice-captain, comes in for the injured Jean Kleyn.

Former Red Hurricanes Osaka fly-half Handre Pollard takes the number 10 jersey from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu while DHL Stormers star Damian Willemse, who returns to the Boks line-up for the first time since the Rugby World Cup final, takes over from Aphelele Fassi at full-back.

Kubota Spears hooker Malcolm Marx, Saitama Wild Knights lock Lood de Jager, Suntory's in-form wing Cheslin Kolbe, who won player of the match against the Barbarians, retain their starting spots in addition to Saitama's Damian de Allende.

The hosts have opted for a 6-2 split on the bench with De Klerk and former Toyota Verblitz full-back Willie le Roux, who will earn his 99th Test cap if he takes the field, the two backline players.

Honda Heat's Franco Mostert and Shizuoka Blue Revs captain Kwagga Smith are also among the replacements.

“We have a big squad, and we would like to balance the game time within the group, while at the same time maintaining continuity in selection, and we believe this is the team that will be best suited for what we want to achieve against Italy,” said Erasmus.

“We are also fortunate to have a few experienced players back from injury, who will be keen to make their mark in the game.”

Commenting on what he expected against Italy, Erasmus said: “They are a quality team with a strong pack and quality backs, and their passion for the team and their country is incredible, so we expect them to throw everything at us."