The Springboks have suffered a late setback ahead of their clash with Italy, with one of their starters withdrawn from the squad on matchday.
Rassie Erasmus is renowned for his unconventional team selections and psychological tactics, often abandoning the traditional Thursday announcement in favour of revealing his matchday 23 at unusual times.
The Springboks have also made late changes in the past due to injuries, although some have questioned whether certain withdrawals were part of Erasmus' mind games.
However, lock Salmaan Moerat has now been confirmed as unavailable, with Lood de Jager promoted to the starting second row and Franco Mostert moving onto the bench.
The change was announced on the Springboks' official X account shortly before kick-off, as the team confirmed the match was getting underway.
Moerat has endured several significant injury setbacks in recent seasons but had worked his way back into the international picture.
The 28-year-old's latest setback is particularly unfortunate, having only recently joined French side La Rochelle from the Stormers.
Moerat previously captained the Stormers, becoming their first skipper in the United Rugby Championship when the competition launched in 2021.
He also made history in July 2024 when he became the first Muslim player to captain the Springboks in a Test, leading the side against Portugal.
Erasmus had initially surrounded Moerat with plenty of experience for the Italy encounter, giving the lock an opportunity to establish himself alongside some of South Africa's most trusted forwards.
His withdrawal means he misses the chance to answer questions over his selection, with doubts raised about whether he could deliver the physical presence expected of a Springbok starting lock.
Five facts about Salmaan Moerat
- On 20 July 2024, he made history by becoming the first Muslim player to captain the South Africa national team
- His father, Nazeem Moerat, played for the non-racial SARU team during the apartheid era, and multiple uncles and cousins have played top-tier rugby.
- He has worn the captain's armband at almost every tier of his career. Moerat captained his school (Paarl Boys' High), the Western Province U18s during the iconic Craven Week, and the Junior Springboks (South Africa U20). He was also chosen as the DHL Stormers' first captain in the United Rugby Championship (URC) back in 2021.
- After spending nine years coming through the ranks in Cape Town, he made a high-profile international move to France, joining La Rochelle.
- Moerat stands at an imposing 2.00 metres (6 feet 7 inches) tall and weighs between 116 kg and 122 kg.
