South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi scores his sides first try during the 2019 Rugby World Cup match at the City of Toyota Stadium, Toyota City, Japan.
Springbok team vs Italy: Five retained from Namibia clash
Hooker, Bongi Mbonambi is one of five players rewarded for an impressive performance against Namibia by retaining their spots in the Springbok team to face Italy.
South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi scores his sides first try during the 2019 Rugby World Cup match at the City of Toyota Stadium, Toyota City, Japan.
Rassie Erasmus has retained five players from the starting XV that did duty against Namibia, as he named his Springbok team to face Italy on Friday.
The two nations meet in a crunch Rugby World Cup Pool B encounter, that could prove to be the decider as to who qualifies for the knockout rounds between them.
South Africa got off the mark in the competition on Saturday, thumping their neighbours after wholesale changes from the team that lost to New Zealand in their opening match.
Wholesale changes for crunch Rugby World Cup encounter
In their third match of the tournament, most of the players who took to the field against the All Blacks have returned, with only five retained from the Namibia clash.
Two of the men who formed the front row have returned for a second consecutive appearance, with prop Tendai Mtawarira preferred over Steven Kitshoff, while Bongi Mbonambi – who crossed over twice last time out – gets the nod ahead of Malcolm Marx at hooker.
Packing down at tighthead is Frans Malherbe, who gets the number three jersey back from Vincent Koch.
Lood de Jager – who churned out a man of the match performance against Namibia – is also back for another start, ahead of Francois Mostert, who drops down to the bench.
Erasmus has recalled the same back row that started against New Zealand, as well as the entire backline that featured in that defeat.
The Bok coach has also picked a forward-heavy bench, with only two backline replacements in scrumhalf, Herschel Jantjies and utility back Francois Steyn.
He says it’s to prepare for what he anticipates to be a big forward battle.
“Italy have a very good pack and put a lot of effort in their set phases,” said Erasmus.
“People may think it is a gamble to have only two back replacements, but we want to have plenty of ammunition for what is likely to be a major forward battle.
“It’s a 23-player game these days and the players who come on will be expected to contribute almost as much in game time as those who start among the front rowers.
“But for this game we are asking the players we have chosen to start to set the tone.”
Italy have only beaten the Springboks once before, in a shock 20-18 win in Firenze in November 2016.
The match on Friday kicks off at 11:45 (SAST).
Springbok team vs Italy on Friday
Backs: Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk.
Forwards: Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi, Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Franco Mostert, Francois Louw, Herschel Jantjies, Francois Steyn.
