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Cape Town - Bulls centres Jan Serfontein and JJ Engelbrecht could start in midfield when the Springboks tackle Italy in Durban on Saturday.
According to a report on Die Burger's website, captain Jean de Villiers is struggling to recover from a troublesome hamstring, and with Juan de Jongh (finger) also injured, the Bulls duo look likely to crack the nod.
"My plan has always been to slowly but surely give Jan some exposure. I am confident that he'll be good enough if he has to play," said coach Heyneke Meyer.
GALLERY: Boks' Incoming Series
In other expected changes to the backline, Cheetahs playmaker Willie le Roux could make his debut at fullback, forming a back trio with Bryan Habana and Bjorn Basson, while Morné Steyn and Jano Vermaak are likely to start as halfbacks.
This would no doubt be a very exciting backline, but a highly inexperienced one, with three debutants in Le Roux, Serfontein and Vermaak.
Steyn (42 Tests) and Habana (82) would play an important role as the only players with notable Test experience, as Basson (6) and Engelbrecht (1) have played only seven Tests between them.
Hooker Adriaan Strauss is likely to take over as captain if De Villiers fails to recover in time.
The clash at Kings Park kicks off at 17:15 on Saturday.
HAVE YOUR SAY: What would be your starting XV to take on Italy? Send your thoughts to Sport24
According to a report on Die Burger's website, captain Jean de Villiers is struggling to recover from a troublesome hamstring, and with Juan de Jongh (finger) also injured, the Bulls duo look likely to crack the nod.
"My plan has always been to slowly but surely give Jan some exposure. I am confident that he'll be good enough if he has to play," said coach Heyneke Meyer.
GALLERY: Boks' Incoming Series
In other expected changes to the backline, Cheetahs playmaker Willie le Roux could make his debut at fullback, forming a back trio with Bryan Habana and Bjorn Basson, while Morné Steyn and Jano Vermaak are likely to start as halfbacks.
This would no doubt be a very exciting backline, but a highly inexperienced one, with three debutants in Le Roux, Serfontein and Vermaak.
Steyn (42 Tests) and Habana (82) would play an important role as the only players with notable Test experience, as Basson (6) and Engelbrecht (1) have played only seven Tests between them.
Hooker Adriaan Strauss is likely to take over as captain if De Villiers fails to recover in time.
The clash at Kings Park kicks off at 17:15 on Saturday.
HAVE YOUR SAY: What would be your starting XV to take on Italy? Send your thoughts to Sport24
