South Africa team to face Italy: Moerat returns as Springboks begin November campaign in Turin

Salmaan Moerat returns to the South Africa team to face Italy on Saturday, according to Reuters.

The Nations Championship match kicks off at 11.40am GMT at Allianz Stadium in Turin, with live UK coverage on ITV1 and ITVX.

South Africa enter the November phase level with New Zealand on 15 points at the top of the Southern Hemisphere standings, leading on points difference. Their July campaign brought victories over England, Scotland and Wales.

South Africa team to face Italy

The starting XV and replacements below are listed in Reuters’ team announcement report.

Number	Player
15	Willemse
14	Arendse
13	Kriel
12	De Allende
11	Hooker
10	Feinberg-Mngomezulu
9	Van den Berg
8	Wiese
7	Pieter-Steph du Toit
6	Kolisi (captain)
5	Nortje
4	Moerat
3	Thomas du Toit
2	Marx
1	Nche

Replacements: 16 Wessels, 17 Steenekamp, 18 Louw, 19 De Jager, 20 Hanekom, 21 De Villiers, 22 Williams, 23 Libbok.

Springboks begin tour without injured quartet

Rassie Erasmus selected a 37-man touring squad without Cheslin Kolbe, Eben Etzebeth, Andre Esterhuizen and Handre Pollard, who were unavailable through injury.

Our South Africa injury update covers the absences ahead of the European programme.

The wider squad included six players receiving their first senior call-ups: Yaqeen Ahmed, Sebastian de Klerk, Luan Giliomee, Markus Muller, Riley Norton and Emmanuel Tshituka.

In SA Rugby’s touring-squad announcement, Erasmus expressed confidence in the cover available and said the absences offered opportunities for other players.

When is Italy vs South Africa and how can I watch?

Detail	Information
Date	Saturday 7 November 2026
Venue	Allianz Stadium, Turin
UK kick-off	11.40am GMT
Italy kick-off	12.40pm CET
South Africa kick-off	1.40pm SAST
UK coverage	ITV1 and ITVX
Referee	Eoghan Cross

The fixture opens Saturday’s Nations Championship programme. Scotland vs New Zealand, Wales vs Japan and France vs Fiji follow later in the day.

Our rugby on TV guide carries the latest UK channel listings.

Who do South Africa play after Italy?

The Springboks travel to Stade de France to face France on Friday 13 November, before meeting Ireland at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday 21 November.

The Nations Championship finals weekend follows in London from 27–29 November. South Africa’s position after the league fixtures will determine their final opponent.