Thursday 20 November 2014 17:36, UK
Samuela Vunisa will make his Italy debut against South Africa on Saturday in Padua in the only change to the side that lost 20-18 to Argentina last week.
Fiji-born flanker Vunisa, who has yet to play after being called into the squad for the November Tests, will replace Simone Favaro in the back row after the Treviso player suffered a sore neck in training.
In the only other notable switch, Leonardo Sarto has switched to the right wing with Luke McLean going the other way to the left.
We thought it was only fair to confirm the line-up that has impressed in recent weeks
Italy defeated Samoa 24-13 in their opening Test of the autumn and despite last week's defeat to the Pumas, coach Jacques Brunel said he had seen enough to confirm the nucleus of his team for the Springboks.
"After the first two games against Samoa and Argentina we were satisfied at how the team performed so we thought it was only fair to confirm the line-up that has impressed in recent weeks," said Brunel.
On Vunisa's inclusion, Brunel said: "We'd been following Sam for the past year-and-a-half, first of all with Calvisano and now with (current club) Zebre. Now it's time we tested him at international level."
Brunel, however, said the powerful back-row forward had a lot to live up to.
"Against Samoa and Argentina Simone made a brilliant return to competition after more than a year away from the international matches," added the Frenchman.
South Africa, who suffered a 29-15 defeat to Ireland in their opening Test in Dublin, made amends with a 31-28 win over England at Twickenham last week.
They are expected to claim what would be their 12th consecutive win over the Azzurri at Stadio Euganeo.
Brunel said: "The Springboks are without doubt the form team of this November series. They had a great summer and also brought the All Blacks' winning streak to an end."
Italy will be hoping Vunisa is able to follow in the footsteps of fellow recent debutant Kelly Haimona by impressing on his maiden appearance for the Azzurri.
New Zealand-born fly-half Haimona kicked 14 points in the win over Samoa and scored 15 with the boot in a 20-18 loss to the Pumas last week.
Haimona's promising displays have also relegated Perpignan fly-half Tommaso Allan down the pecking order.
Allan was sent home from training camp earlier on Thursday and Brunel said: "As regards Allan, he was given opportunities during the course of last season. It's only fair we give Haimona the same chance now."
Italy: 15 Andrea Masi; 14 Leonardo Sarto , 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Luca Morisi, 11 Luke Mclean; 10 Kelly Haimona, 9 Edoardo Gori; 1 Matias Aguero, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni; 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 5 Joshua Furno; 6 Alessandro Zanni, 7 Samuela Vunisa, 8 Sergio Parisse (capt)
Replacements: 16 Andrea Manici, 17 Alberto De Marchi, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 Marco Bortolami, 20 Francesco Minto, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Luciano Orquera, 23 Giulio Toniolatti
Watch Italy v South Africa on Sky Sports 2HD from 1.30pm on Saturday
