Meyer makes four changes for Italy clash

heynekemeyer

The Springboks held off England at Twickenham last weekend to secure a hard-fought 31-28 success.

Meyer's men continue their Northern Hemisphere tour in Padova this weekend, with prop Trevor Nyakane set to make his first international start after earning 11 caps as a substitute.

Nyakane will be partnered by Coenie Oosthuizen, who comes in as a replacement for the injured Jannie du Plessis, while Teboho Mohoje is welcomed back into the side at flanker as Schalk Burger drops out of the squad.

Johan Goosen starts at full-back in place of the rested Willie le Roux and, on the bench, lock Nizaam Carr and prop Julian Redelinghuys are included in the matchday squad for the first time.

"I'm excited to see what these guys can do on Saturday in what will be a stern Test against a fired-up Italy," Meyer said on Wednesday.

"We planned to make a few shifts for this Test as I'd like to see if these players can make the step up. The guys coming in deserve their opportunities and seeing that we won't have our overseas-based players available next week against Wales, it made sense to bring a few of them in this week.

"Nizaam can cover all the positions in the back-row and his call-up is just reward after a very good season for the DHL Stormers and Western Province. 

"Julian has been superb for the Lions this season and he's shown that he can scrum. Both of them are now familiar with our plays and structures and I'm looking forward to see what they can bring on Saturday.

"It will also be a good test for Johan, who I've always regarded as a possibility at fullback. He has a great skill-set and a massive boot which will come in handy on Saturday if we have to play in wet weather again."

 

Team in full: Johan Goosen, JP Pietersen, Jan Serfontein, Jean de Villiers (captain), Bryan Habana, Pat Lambie, Cobus Reinach, Trevor Nyakane, Adriaan Strauss, Coenie Oosthuizen, Eben Etzebeth, Victor Matfield, Marcell Coetzee, Teboho Mohojoe, Duane Vermeulen.

Replacements: Bismark du Plessis, Gurthro Steenkamp, Julian Redelinghuys, Lood de Jager, Nizaam Carr, Francois Hougaard, Handre Pollard, Willie le Roux.

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