Sergio Parisse is back to captain Italy against South Africa, when an Italian win would put them through to the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals for the first time.
Parisse will also become the most capped player from the northern hemisphere when he runs on in Shizuoka on Friday.
He’ll play his 142nd test, overtaking former Ireland centre Brian O’Driscoll. Only former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has played more tests with 148.
Parisse’s return at No.8 is one of three changes to the starting line-up by coach Conor O’Shea but the only change in the forward pack from the 48-7 win over Canada last Thursday.
Parisse replaces flanker Sebastian Negri.
South Africa-born Braam Steyn, who played at No. 8 vs. Canada, returns to the blindside flank.
There are two changes in the backline, with halfback Tito Tebaldi and centre Luca Morsi coming into the team while Michele Campagnaro switches from centre to winger.
O’Shea matched South Africa’s selection by also picking just two backs on his eight-man bench, with the game expected to be decided in the forward exchanges.
Italy opened with wins over Namibia and Canada and faces their first stern test in Japan against the two-time champion Springboks.
Italy:
Matteo Minozzi, Tommaso Benvenuti, Luca Morsi, Jaden Hayward, Michele Campagnaro, Tommaso Allan, Tito Tebaldi; Sergio Parisse (capt), Jake Polledri, Braam Steyn, Dean Budd, David Sisi, Simone Ferrari, Luca Bigi, Andrea Lovotti. Res: Federico Zani, Nicola Quaglio, Marco Riccioni, Alessandro Zanni, Federico Ruzza, Sebastian Negri, Callum Braley, Carlo Canna.