Boks load up big guns for first Italy Test as Willemse returns and Kriel captains

Despite captaining the Springboks against the Barbarians last week, Jesse Kriel will officially become Springbok captain No 67 when he leads the team out in the first Test against Italy at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Siya Kolisi has not sufficiently recovered from a tender Achilles tendon, and even if he had, he might have sat out.

Coach Rassie Erasmus made a telling remark when naming the team to face the Azzurri, suggesting that few players would appear in more than eight of the Boks’ 13 Tests this year. He also opted against making lock Eben Etzebeth captain, even though he has led the side in 14

Tests. That’s partly because Etzebeth is unlikely to play the full 80 minutes while Kriel, barring injury, certainly will.

It’s also an endorsement of Kriel’s massive status among his peers and a recognition of his brilliant contributions to the team, both on and off the field.

The muscular 31-year-old centre is one of the fittest players in the team and is showing no signs of letting his standards and performances dip. He leads by example in the gym, in training and in matches, but he also has a wealth of technical and tactical nous as the leader of the defence. “Siya just had a stiff neck [last week], which was nothing serious, and that’s all cleared up now,” said Erasmus.

“But he had a bit of a stiff Achilles. So, we just want to make sure. Overall, I don’t think there’s a player that will play more than eight or nine matches for us this year.

“If one goes through this team, there are so many leaders, and we were impressed with how Jesse accepted the responsibility of wearing the captain’s armband last week. He is a player who leads by example on and off the field, and he thoroughly deserves this honour.”

Erasmus rang the changes, reverting to a menacing-looking outfit for the first serious challenge of 2025.Of the four new players who appeared for the Boks against the Barbarians during the 54-7 win at DHL Stadium, only flank Vincent Tshituka retains his place