Rassie backs new-look Boks to deliver against Italy in Turin

THE Springboks have targeted the match against Italy as another opportunity to give some of their newly capped players a run at international level — a test to see if they can handle the pressure on foreign soil.

- LEIGHTON KOOPMAN

Following last weekend's brilliant 32-17 victory over France, the responsibility now rests on the shoulders of the 23 players selected to maintain that winning momentum against the Azzurri.

With Italy coming off a strong win over the Wallabies, they'll be playing in front of an expectant crowd at the Allianz Stadium tomorrow (2.40pm kickoff), which should add to the spectacle. Head coach Rassie Erasmus has made several changes to his starting XV, with only four players retained from last weekend’s run-on side. A rookie front row will lead the scrum, and there is no recognised hooker on the replacement bench.

“I won't say this is the strongest Italian side ever, but it’s certainly one of the strongest in a couple of years,” Erasmus said of their opponents. “For the first time in a while, we have fewer caps on average than our opposition.

Yes, we have a few younger guys and we're away from home against Italy, but we've prepared as well as we can.