Willie le Roux celebrates 100th Test

SPRINGBOK coach Rassie Erasmus made sweeping changes to his team for the second Test against Italy on Saturday in Gqeberha.

- LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

Veteran fullback Willie le Roux will play in his 100th Test in a new-look backline that does not feature any player who started against the Azzuri in the first clash in Pretoria.

Edwill van der Merwe will get his second cap for the world champions as he joins fellow winger Makazole Mapimpi and Le Roux in the back three for the duel in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (5.10pm kickoff).

The exciting duo of Grant Williams and Manie Libbok will start as scrumhalf and flyhalf, respectively. In a surprising midfield, Canan Moodie partners with André Esterhuizen to complete the backline.

Up front, there's a welcome sight of Pieter-Steph du Toit returning after a lengthy injury layoff and a lock-pairing of Ruan Nortjé and Salmaan Moerat.

Moerat will resume the captaincy duties.