Springboks vs Italy: Predictable Team… Except for One Pick

Salmaan Moerat is straight back into the Springbok starting XV against Italy. Has he done enough at La Rochelle to justify that trust? Rassie Erasmus has named an experienced team for the Nations Championship clash in Turin on Saturday, 7 November. None of the six uncapped tourists makes the matchday 23, and the selection raises some interesting questions about the rest of the tour. In this Sports Cartel reaction, Tony breaks down: • The changes from the final All Blacks Test in Baltimore • Thomas du Toit and Wilco Louw swapping starting and bench roles • Jan-Hendrik Wessels’ opportunity behind Malcolm Marx • Grant Williams’ return to the matchday squad • The 6–2 bench and Paul de Villiers’ inclusion • Moerat’s three La Rochelle appearances, two starts and one try • What this selection could mean for France and Ireland I want Moerat to deliver. But his recall deserves a proper rugby conversation. Would he be your starting No. 4 against Italy? Who else would you have picked? Subscribe to Sports Cartel for Springbok team reactions, South African rugby analysis and the conversations we have as fans. #Springboks #RassieErasmus #SalmaanMoerat