Returning Pieter-Steph du Toit starts for Boks v Italy

Toyotz Verblitz’s Pieter-Steph du Toit has been named in South Africa’s new-look starting line-up to face Italy in his first appearance in 2025.

The 32-year-old has not played since the Autumn Series in November and was de-registered by his club in January after undergoing shoulder surgery in his homeland.

South Africa’s two-time World Rugby Player of The Year and back-to-back World Cup winner is back to full fitness and is part of 11 changes by Rassie Erasmus after their unconvincing 42-24 victory over a youthful Italy in the first Test.

The world champions have rotated their squad for the Test in Gqeberha as tinkerman Erasmus fully utilities his talent-rich pool of players which is the envy of world rugby.

Kubota Spears hooker Malcolm Marx and Urayasu D-Rocks number eight Jasper Wiese both retain their jerseys for the second and final test while the entire backline has been changed.

Former Toyota full-back Willie Le Roux, 35, comes into the starting line-up and will become the eighth Springbok centurion after being named at full-back.

Marx has Bath’s Thomas du Toit and the Bulls’ Wilco Louw either side of him with new captain Salmaan Moerat of the Stormers and the Bulls’ Ruan Nortje in the second row.

Wiese - whose uncapped brother, utility-forward Cobus, is among the replacements - and Van Staden of the Bulls form a loose trio combination with fit-again du Toit.

Picture courtesy of JRLO

The new backline comprises of Sharks scrum-half Grant Williams and Japan-bound Libbok forming an exciting half-back pairing with ex-Sanix Blues powerhouse Andre Esterhuizen and the Bulls’ Canan Moodie in the midfield.

Le Roux is joined by former Red Hurricanes Osaka wing Makazole Mapimpi and the Sharks’ Edwill van der Merwe in the back three.  

Commenting on former Top League star Le Roux earning his 100th Test cap, Erasmus said: “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.

“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.”

Erasmus' expects another physical confrontation from Italy this weekend.

“We said from the get-go that they are a tough team and that they will test us, and we know that their performance last week will psyche them up going into this match.

“They will come hard at us and deliver another passionate performance, but we also have high standards as a team, and we know that we need to shift into a different gear this weekend to produce a performance we can be proud of.

“We had an honest and thorough review of last week’s game, and we know that we must improve in every department to get the desired result and do everything we can to make this game special for Willie, the debutantes, and the country.”