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Bok debut beckons for Gelant

Cape Town - Fullback Warrick Gelant looks likely to make his Springbok debut off the bench against Italy in Padova on Saturday.

Springbok coach Allister Coetzee earlier this week said he had no plans of giving fringe squad members a run against Italy as he aimed to build on the 18-17 win over France in Paris.

When the Bok mentor addressed media in Italy on Monday he said he would attempt to pick his best available team.

According to Netwerk24, Gelant will earn a spot on the bench where he is expected to replace Damian de Allende.

It appears that the only change to the Springbok starting team will be the inclusion of a fit-again Pieter-Steph du Toit in the loose trio.

Du Toit, who has been cleared of concussion, will replace Siya Kolisi, who has returned to South Africa on paternity leave.

There were concerns over the fitness of captain Eben Etzebeth (lower leg) and hooker Malcolm Marx (shoulder) but both players are expected to be included when Coetzee names his team on Thursday.

Likely Springbok team:

15 Andries Coetzee, 14 Dillyn Leyds, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Courtnall Skosan, 10 Handre Pollard, 9 Ross Cronje, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Francois Louw, 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth (captain), 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Tendai Mtawarira

Substitutes: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Trevor Nyakane, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Dan du Preez, 21 Rudy Paige, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Warrick Gelant


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