Sibusiso Sithole and Bobby de Wee will earn starting berths for the Isuzu Southern Kings when they take on Benetton Rugby at Stadio Monigo in Treviso, Italy, on Saturday.
Kick-off for the match is 16h00 (SA time).
Former South Africa Sevens star, Sithole, who provided backline cover from the bench in the opening three matches of the 2019/20 Guinness PRO14 season at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, will make his first start of the season at outside centre where he will partner up with Tertius Kruger for the midfield combination.
The skilful, strong and experienced Sithole replaces JT Jackson in the team. Jackson has been rested for the Isuzu Southern Kings’ first tour match of the season.
Meanwhile, in the forwards pack, the versatile De Wee will make his second start of the season after previously being in the starting XV for the South African side’s opening match against Cardiff Blues. Despite having played at blindside flank in the season-opener and having provided cover both in the second row and at loose-forward, the 25-year-old will start at No4 lock where he replaces Jerry Sexton.
Hooker Jacques du Toit will also earn his first starting berth for the Isuzu Southern Kings in a rotational switch with Alandre van Rooyen as the rest of the forwards pack remains the same.
In the backline, Josh Allderman will don the No9 jersey following the injury to vice-captain, Stefan Ungerer in the previous match against Ulster Rugby.
Also making a return to the team is winger Christopher Hollis, who replaces the injured Courtney Winnaar in the side.
An exciting inclusion on the bench will see young flyhalf Siyabonga Masuku possibly making his Guinness PRO14 and Isuzu Southern Kings debut as backline cover. Thembelani Bholi will also make his first Guinness PRO14 appearance after his return to the Port Elizabeth-based side.
The Isuzu Southern Kings team is:
FORWARDS (1-8): Juan Schoeman, Jacques du Toit, Pieter Scholtz, Bobby de Wee, Aston Fortuin, Lusanda Badiyana (C), Tienie Burger, Ruaan Lerm.
BACKLINE (9-15): Josh Allderman, Demetri Catrakilis, Josiah Twum-Boafo, Tertius Kruger, Sibusiso Sithole, Christopher Hollis, Masixole Banda.
REPLACEMENTS (16-23): Alandre van Rooyen, Xandre Vos, Rossouw de Klerk, JC Astle, Thembelani Bholi, Erigh Louw, Siya Masuku, Erich Cronje.
Kieran Crowley has named the Benetton Rugby team to face Isuzu Southern Kings at Stadio Monigo.
The match will start at 4pm local time (3pm UK time) and Welsh referee Dan Jones will be in charge, supported by his assistants Marius Mitrea and Dai Cambourne.
Five Italian international players will be involved in the team chosen by Head Coach Crowley.
Full back will be Luca Sperandio, on the wings Ratuva Tavuyara and Angelo Esposito. Captain Alberto Sgarbi and Ignacio Brex will be respectively left and right centre.
The half backs are Dewaldt Duvenage at scrum half and Ian Keatley at fly-half.
The front row will consist of Federico Zani, Tomas Baravalle and Tiziano Pasquali.
The locks will be Niccolò Cannone and Eli Snyman. Finally, the back row sees Sebastian Negri, Marco Barbini and Toa Halafihi completing the XV.
Benetton Rugby: 15 Luca Sperandio, 14 Ratuva Tavuyara, 13 Ignacio Brex, 12 Alberto Sgarbi (C), 11 Angelo Esposito, 10 Ian Keatley, 9 Dewaldt Duvenage, 8 Toa Halafihi, 7 Marco Barbini, 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Eli Snyman, 4 Niccolò Cannone, 3 Tiziano Pasquali, 2 Tomas Baravalle, 1 Federico Zani
Replacements: 16 Engjel Makelara, 17 Cherif Traore, 18 Michele Mancini Parri, 19 Federico Ruzza, 20 Giovanni Pettinelli, 21 Tito Tebaldi, 22 Antonio Rizzi, 23 Marco Zanon
Head Coach: Kieran Crowley
Unavailable: Derrick Appiah, Hame Faiva, Simone Ferrari, Ornel Gega, Irné Herbst, Monty Ioane, Michele Lamaro, Marco Lazzaroni, Nasi Manu, Luca Morisi, Nicola Quaglio, Marco Riccioni, Alessandro Zanni.
Referee: Dan Jones (WRU)
Assistant Referees: Marius Mitrea (FIR) and Dai Cambourne (WRU)
Citing Commissioner: Tim Hayes (WRU)
TMO: Claudio Blessano (FIR)
Alan Straton
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