The Springbok team to start against Italy in Saturday’s once off test in Cape Town has been named. It is no surprise that the team has a lot of changes following on from the two victories against Wales. The major change in the team for Saturday’s game is seeing Francois Steyn starting at flyhalf. Regular Springbok flyhalf, Butch James, has been rested for this game. Many had expected Stormers flyhalf, Peter Grant, to start in the number 10 jursey but coach Peter de Villiers has opted to give young Steyn the start.

Steyn has always wanted to play at flyhalf for the Springboks and now he gets his opportunity and what better an opportunity than against a team the Springboks should easily beat on Saturday. If ever Steyn wanted a perfect opportunity to ‘shine’ as a Springbok flyhalf, he will certainly get it on Saturday. I still believe Steyn is best suited as fullback but we will have to wait and see come Saturday what he can do at flyhalf.

Another player I am looking forward to seeing on Saturday is Ryan Kankowski at eighth man. I believe Ryan Kankowski has a lot of talent and is deserving of being a regular for the Springboks. He has stiff competition for the number 8 jursey with Pierre Spies. It will also be great to see Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira get another cap and hopefully the Newlands crowd has more opportunities to chant ‘Beast’ than the crowd at Loftus last weekend.

The team in full for Saturdays game against Italy is:

15. Conrad Jantjes, 14. Odwa Ndungane, 13. Gcobani Bobo, 12. Jean de Villiers, 11. Bryan Habana, 10. Francois Steyn, 9. Ricky Januarie, 8. Ryan Kankowski, 7. Juan Smith, 6. Luke Watson, 5. Victor Matfield (captain), 4. Bakkies Botha, 3. CJ van der Linde, 2. Bismarck du Plessis, 1. Tendai Mtawarira.

Reserves: 16. Schalk Brits, 17. Brian Mujati, 18. Andries Bekker, 19. Joe van Niekerk, 20. Schalk Burger, 21. Ruan Pienaar, 22. Peter Grant.

The InTheNews.co.za team would like to wish the Springboks the best of luck for the match against Italy.