South Africa change two for Italy clash at Stadio Artemio Franchi
Thursday 17 November 2016 14:03, UK
South Africa have brought two new faces into the starting XV for their clash against Italy at Stadio Artemio Franchi on Saturday.
Following the withdrawal of Eben Etzebeth, who picked up a concussion against England at Twickenham, Pieter-Steph du Toit has switched from flanker into the second row, and his spot on the side of the scrum is taken by Nizaam Carr.
In the backs, veteran Bryan Habana replaces JP Pietersen on the left wing, with the Toulon speedster looking to chase down Daisuke Ohata for the most Test tries in history. Habana's 66 tries on the international stage is three behind the former Japan international.
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Carr featured as a replacement in South Africa's 37-21 loss to England last week, and Oupa Mahoje comes in to fill his vacancy on the bench. Lourens Adriaanse loses out to Trevor Nyakane in the second of three changes to the substitutes, with Elton Jantjies selected at the expense of Lions team-mate Lionel Mapoe.
The Boks are in desperate need of a win in Florence. Last week's loss to Eddie Jones' side came off the back of a disappointing Rugby Championship during which they were thrashed 57-15 by the All Blacks, and the 2007 World Cup champions have now lost five of their last six internationals.
The recent record has piled pressure on coach Allister Coetzee, but in the wake of their Twickenham humbling, the Bok boss insisted he has 'drawn comfort' from his side's efforts.
"I always look at when a team gives up, then I'd say the Springboks have lost their aura. But there's no lack of effort in the team," said Coetzee.
"It's hurting, it is tough times, but this team doesn't give up and I draw comfort from the way they kept fighting out there today."
South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Rudy Paige; 1 Tendai Mtawarira, 2 Adriaan Strauss, 3 Vincent Koch, 4 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Nizaam Carr, 7 Willem Alberts, 8 Warren Whiteley.
Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Franco Moster, 20 Oupa Mahoje, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Johan Goosen.
