Italian coach Jacques Brunel has benched veteran prop Martin Castrogiovanni for Saturday’s Test against South Africa in Durban.
The encounter, in a four-nations tournaments that also features Samoa and Scotland, will feature an Azzurri team that shows seven changes for the side that beat Ireland in their last outing – a Six Nations match in Rome back in March.
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The changes will also see Alberto Di Bernardo become the latest in a long line of flyhalves entrusted with Italy’s No.10 jersey, after the 33-year-old was handed his debut for the match at Kings Park.
The Treviso player excelled in the Pro12 competition and replaces fellow Argentina-born Luciano Orquera, who drops to the bench.
Orquera featured most often at pivot for the Azzurri during Italy’s strong Six Nations campaign in February and March, when they beat France in the opening round and Ireland at the last match.
Edoardo Gori continues at scrumhalf.
Lock and former captain Marco Bortolami returns to the line-up after a year out following a shoulder injury.
Italy: 15 Andrea Masi, 14 Giovanbattista Venditti, 13 Luca Morisi, 12 Alberto Sgarbi, 11 Luke McLean, 10 Alberto di Bernardo, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Sergio Parisse (captain), 7 Robert Barbieri, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Marco Bortolami, 4 Antonio Pavanello, 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Alberto de Marchi.
Replacements: 16 Davide Giazzon, 17 Matias Aguero, 18 Martin Castrogiovanni, 19 Valerio Bernabo’, 20 Joshua Furno, 21 Tobias Botes, 22 Luciano Orquera, 23 Tommaso Iannone.
Date: Saturday 8 June
Venue: Kings Park, Durban
Kick-off: 17:15 SA Time (15:15 GMT)
Referee: Pascal Gauzère (France)
Assistant referees: Nigel Hennessy (Wales), Blake Beattie (South Africa)
TMO: Johann Meuwesen (South Africa)
Golden Lions lock Franco van der Merwe, currently on loan to the Sharks, has been called up to the Springbok squad in the place of injured Pieter-Steph du Toit.
Van der Merwe would join the squad in Durban “as soon as possible”, the SA Rugby Union said on Wednesday.
Du Toit had been struggling with a sternum injury for some time. Following further investigation in the Springbok camp, and several specialist opinions, it was decided to withdraw him from the squad.
“Pieter-Steph is only 20 and the decision was taken, in consultation with his union and in the interest of his long-term playing career, to withdraw him from the squad,” said Springbok team doctor Craig Roberts.
“This injury should be optimally managed and the specialists we consulted are of the opinion he requires surgery, which will put him out of action for approximately three months.”
South Africa face Italy in Durban on Saturday in their first match of a four-nation series which also includes Scotland and Samoa. – Sapa