PRETORIA - The Springboks have finalised their preparations for Saturday afternoon's international opener against Italy at Loftus Versfeld.
Jesse Kriel, a veteran of three World Cups and 81 Test Matches, will lead the Boks following Siya Kolisi's injury.
The Springboks are nine places above Italy and have scored an average of 55 points in winning seven previous home matches between the countries.
"Everyone expects us to beat Italy, but they were really competitive in the first two rounds of the 2025 Six Nations Championship," said coach Rassie Erasmus.
- Additional reporting AFP