South Africa vs Italy
World Cup
10:45am Friday 4th October
Eben Etzebeth was named from the South Africa for Fridays match against Italy despite getting the danger of legal doubt hanging over him.
The South Africa Rugby Union has started a discreetinternal process using Etzebeth over allegations he physically and racially abused a person in South Africa ahead of the Rugby World Cup.
The South African Human Rights Commission says its going to start proceedings against Etzebeth however he has been chosen to start by coach Rassie Erasmus in among 10 changes to the side that beat against Namibia.
I wont lie for you and say we know much about whats happening with the situation back in South Africa, explained Springboks assistant trainer Mzwandile Stick.
At the present time, were in the World Cup as players and coaches. Were making sure we get the staff in the area. Eben was focused on that which we want to attain, and the management will deal with the instance, and SA Rugby back in South Africa.
Eben is part of the group in the World Cup, and he will play Friday. Hes been in a fantastic space in the team, and with the players also.
Siya Kolisi contributes to skipper the side along with the flanker showed morning, tremors were felt by the Springboks team at their resort.
Cheslin (Kolbe) was sleeping and snoring, so I thought it was ! Said Kolisi, who captains South Africa for the 16th time.
It was something different – Ive never felt anything like this. I was excited but scared at exactly the exact same time.
Week the Springboks began their Pool B campaign but bounced back to inflict a defeat.
Kolisi insists as yet another defeat would almost surely end their hopes of attaining the quarter-finals, South Africa have not been lacking for inspiration because then.
He added:We have got a critical game, and each game from today is a play-off match because, when we slip , were out of the contest.
Italy are a good side whove beaten us in the past. In a way, we are lucky that we have to play with a knockout game usual.
Its one of those games which you wish to be playing as a player. Weve just ready as much as we can and educated well and are very confident in our plan.
Italy have collected bonus-point wins from Namibia and Canada to sit of their pool but they currently face a negative they have beaten only once in 14 prior games.
Hooker Luca Bigi is relishing the competition although south Africa prevailed 35-6 in their final meeting in November 2017.
He explained:I understand what they are like from two years back at Padova. We have to be competitive. We must be ascertained, with the ideal attitude, because weve been considering this game for four decades.
Conor OShea has made three changes to his starting line-up with captain Sergio Parisse coming to play his 142nd Test match, exceeding Brian ODriscoll as the northern hemispheres record-appearance manufacturer.
Just Richie McCaw [148] has made more appearances.
We have considered this [game] for 3 decades, said Parisse.
We want to be competitive to the conclusion. We dont have the pressure on us. They are the people who are feeling the pressure.
We only need to go out and not complete the match that has any regrets.
South Africa: 15 Willie Le Roux, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Faf de Klerk; 1 Tendai Mtawarira, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 3 Frans Malherbe, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 7 Peter-Steph du Toit, 8 Duane Vermeulen.
Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 RG Snyman, 20 Franco Mostert, 21 Francois Louw, 22 Herschel Jantjies, 23 Frans Steyn.
Italy: 15 Matteo Minozzi, 14 Tommaso Benvenuti, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Jayden Hayward, 11 Michele Campagnaro, 10 Tommaso Allan, 9 Tito Tebaldi; 1 Andrea Lovotti, two Luca Bigi, 3 Simone Ferrari, 4 David Sisi, 5 Dean Budd, 6 Braam Steyn, seven Jake Polledri, 8 Sergio Parisse (c).
Replacements: 16 Federico Zani, 17 Nicola Quaglio, 18 Marco Riccioni, 19 Alessandro Zanni, 20 Federico Ruzza, 21 Sebastian Negri, 22 Callum Braley, 23 Carlo Canna.
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