{
  "id": 18438247,
  "title": "Springboks in the spotlight: Why these five players will want to shine in Turin",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/springboks-in-the-spotlight-why-these-five-players-will-want-to-shine",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-06T04:13:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/springboks-spotlight-five-players-shine-turin/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Springboks lineup for their first European Test against Italy in Turin this November will be determined by which of these players can rise to the challenge and claim a starting spot. As Rassie Erasmus has assembled a strong side, including several World Cup winners, the pressure is on for the six uncapped players to prove their worth. Five players may see more of the ball than their teammates in the matchday-23. Morné van den Berg, Faf de Klerk, Herschel Jantjies, Embrose Papier, and Haashim Pead are all fighters for positions in the starting lineup. Van den Berg, who may have been third in the queue last year, could now be Erasmus' first-choice scrum-half. Jasper Wiese, the hard-carrying number 8, is considered the team's first-choice, but Kwagga Smith's absence has opened up competition from Cameron Hanekom, Nick Hatton, and even the veteran Salmaan Moerat. Jan-Hendrik Wessels may be Erasmus' first-choice hooker, while Lood de Jager will be given a chance to make an impact off the bench in Italy.",
  "summary": "This is the first of four Tests for the South Africans in Europe this November.",
  "key_points": [
    "Five uncapped Springboks vie for starting spots in Turin Test.",
    "Morné van den Berg may become first-choice scrum-half.",
    "Kwagga Smith's absence creates competition for hooker position."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The intense competition for starting roles among uncapped players forces emerging talent to challenge established World Cup winners to secure their place within Rassie Erasmus's tactical selection.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}