LOCK SALMAAN MOERAT will make his return from injury for South Africa this weekend in their Nations Championship clash with Italy in Turin after being named in Rassie Erasmus’s starting team.
Moerat, who missed the opening leg of Nations Championship matches and the Springboks’ series against New Zealand, will partner Ruan Nortje in the second row.
La Rochelle’s Moerat has not played for South Africa since a win over Italy in July 2025.
Winger Ethan Hooker is the only player who started the friendly loss to Australia in September, when a host of key players were rested, to keep his place in the XV.
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South Africa, who won their opening three matches in the inaugural Nations Championship in July, also face France and Ireland after Saturday’s game against the Azzurri, before the finals at Twickenham.
“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,” said Erasmus.
South Africa have opted for a six-two split on their bench, with Grant Williams and Manie Libbok providing backline cover.
The six uncapped players in the world champions’ travelling squad will have to wait to make their international debuts.
“They all joined us in camp today and are excited about the tour ahead, so we’ll expose them to our structures this week and monitor how they progress and hopefully we’ll be able to give them a chance to show what they can do at this level against top opposition in the next few weeks,” added Erasmus of the new faces.
Italy lost all three of their opening Nations Championship games and are bottom of the Northern Hemisphere standings.
The Springboks lead the Southern Hemisphere table on points difference ahead of New Zealand.
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La Rochelle lock Moerat to make Springbok return against Italy
LOCK SALMAAN MOERAT will make his return from injury for South Africa this weekend in their Nations Championship clash with Italy in Turin after being named in Rassie Erasmus’s starting team.
Moerat, who missed the opening leg of Nations Championship matches and the Springboks’ series against New Zealand, will partner Ruan Nortje in the second row.
La Rochelle’s Moerat has not played for South Africa since a win over Italy in July 2025.
Winger Ethan Hooker is the only player who started the friendly loss to Australia in September, when a host of key players were rested, to keep his place in the XV.
South Africa, who won their opening three matches in the inaugural Nations Championship in July, also face France and Ireland after Saturday’s game against the Azzurri, before the finals at Twickenham.
“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,” said Erasmus.
South Africa have opted for a six-two split on their bench, with Grant Williams and Manie Libbok providing backline cover.
The six uncapped players in the world champions’ travelling squad will have to wait to make their international debuts.
“They all joined us in camp today and are excited about the tour ahead, so we’ll expose them to our structures this week and monitor how they progress and hopefully we’ll be able to give them a chance to show what they can do at this level against top opposition in the next few weeks,” added Erasmus of the new faces.
Italy lost all three of their opening Nations Championship games and are bottom of the Northern Hemisphere standings.
The Springboks lead the Southern Hemisphere table on points difference ahead of New Zealand.
South Africa (v Italy)
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– © AFP 2026
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