Coach Conor O’Shea has recalled captain Sergio Parisse to Italy’s starting lineup for Friday’s do-or-die clash with the Springboks.
O’Shea retained most of the side that ran out comfortable 48-7 winners over Canada in their previous World Cup outing.
Parisse has been restored to the starting lineup after being rested against the Canadians, in the only change to the forward pack. Fellow veteran Tito Tebaldi comes in at scrumhalf along with Luca Morisi, who partners Jayden Hayward in the midfield.
Michele Campagnaro, who started at No 13 against Canada, shifts out to left wing to form a back-three combination with Tommaso Benvenuti and Matteo Minozzi.
Former Western Province Academy player Tommaso Allan – who played with Bok wing Cheslin Kolbe at U19 level – starts at flyhalf and will be hoping to add to his 20 points at the World Cup with a solid performance with the boot.
Italy – 15 Matteo Minozzi, 14 Tommaso Benvenuti, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Jayden Hayward, 11 Michele Campagnaro, 10 Tommaso Allan, 9 Tito Tebald, 8 Sergio Parisse (c), 7 Jake Polledri, 6 Braam Steyn, 5 Dean Budd, 4 David Sisi, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Luca Bigi, 1 Andrea Lovotti.
Subs: 16 Federico Zani, 17 Nicola Quaglio, 18 Marco Riccioni, 19 Alessandro Zanni, 20 Federico Ruzza, 21 Sebastian Negri, 22 Callum Braley, 23 Carlo Canna.
Picture: Six Nations/Website
