Powerhouse centre Andre Esterhuizen will make his second start for the Springboks of 2022, while No 8 Jasper Wiese returns to a rejigged match-day 23, when the world champions and Italy clash in Genoa on Saturday.
Esterhuizen has been loaded at inside centre in a robust midfield pairing with Damian de Allende, who switches to outside centre.
Wiese was a late withdrawal from the defeat to France in Marseille last week and takes over from Kwagga Smith, who starts among the replacements.
Jacques Nienaber also handed starts to locks Salmaan Moerat and Marvin Orie, with Eben Etzebeth dropping to the bench.
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The other positional switch sees Franco Mostert move from lock to flanker in place of Pieter-Steph du Toit, who is awaiting a disciplinary hearing on Wednesday for a red card received against France.
The dynamic DHL Stormers No 8 Evan Roos, meanwhile, will make only his second Test appearance if he comes off the bench against the Azzurri. The front row of Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch and Malcolm Marx (hooker) complete the six replacement forwards. Cobus Reinach and Manie Libbok will provide backline cover.
“A couple of players have been training very hard in the last few weeks and deserve a chance to start, and Lood’s injury and Pieter-Steph’s disciplinary hearing opened the door for us to give them an opportunity,” said Nienaber.
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“Salmaan and Marvin are both Stormers players, so they have been playing together for a while, and they are very hungry for game time, so we are looking forward to what they bring in the game.
“It’s also good to have Jasper back against the physical Italian pack, and we know that Kwagga will spark something different when he takes the field. Evan also gets a chance off the bench and his skills will work well with Kwagga’s in the loose trio, while Manie earns another run after making his debut last week.
“Manie’s versatility will also come in handy, as he can cover most positions in the backline, and with Cobus on the bench and several experienced backs in the backline, he will have enough guidance to be able play to his game.”
Springboks – 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Damian de Allende, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche.
Subs: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Eben Etzebeth, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Evan Roos, 22 Cobus Reinach, 23 Manie Libbok.
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Photo: Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
