The Springboks will put their No 1 ranking on the line when they face Italy in Turin on Saturday.
Pieter-Steph du Toit has joined a growing exodus of South African players from Japan after leaving Toyota Verblitz with immediate effect, the club has announced.
Italy hot-stepper Ange Capuozzo will make his Test return for the Azzurri this weekend, after being included in an injury-affected matchday 23 by coach Gonzalo Quesada.
Springbok superstar Malcolm Marx will join the Bulls on a long-term contract with effect from July 2027.
The Springboks will not underestimate Italy in Saturday's Nations Championship Test in Turin, say Damian Willemse and Ruan Nortje.
Springbok scrumhalf Morné van den Berg believes adapting from club rugby to the international game is a relatively straightforward process, given the similarities in the systems used at both levels.