Springbok coach Harry Viljoen will be looking to his experimental team to answer a few searching questions ahead of the July 21st start of the Tri-Nations when they square up to the Italians in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

The Boks hardly looked the part of world-beaters against the French, especially in the first Test, and the new gameplan the coach promised after their two-week Plettenberg Bay training camp has yet to see the light too.

This week has been a particularly disruptive one in the national camp with injuries, and more importantly the appointment of Bob Skinstad as captain, hampering preparations. Viljoen made the shocking announcement on Monday evening, saying the Stormers star more fitted the type of game he was looking to play then former captain and No 8 Andre Vos.

"I felt the team needed an extra dimension at No 8 and that is the primary reason for the change," he said. "The change is not a reflection on Vossie's contribution. He has played well, but the make-up of the loose-forwards has not been ideal."

Injuries have been the other hiccup this week, with lock Albert van den Berg (chest), winger Dean Hall (shoulder) and flyhalf Gaffie du Toit (ankle), who came in as a replacement for the suspended Butch James, being ruled out. Percy Montgomery, who struggled in the first Test against the French, comes in at flyhalf for the Sharks star, with talented under-23 pivot Jaco van der Westhuyzen getting a spot on the bench.

All in all, Viljoen made seven changes and two positional switches to the side that scraped the second Test win, opting to give all the players in the squad a chance before the start of the Tri-Nations. Conrad Jantjes and Neil de Kock will make their debuts, while Victor Matfield and Lukas van Biljon also have the chance if the come off the bench.

Lock Johan Ackermann will start his first Test since 1996 and will partner Mark Andrews, who will play his record 71st Test, although Joost van der Westhuizen could equal that if he gets a run. Thinus Delport replaces Cats teammate Hall on the wing, with Viljoen stating he wants to give the explosive runner more game time.

Disposed captain Vos will start in the unfamiliar position of openside flanker and will be looking for a strong performance to show he is worth his place in the side. Andre Venter, returning from the rib injury that forced him to miss his first Test in many a year, reverts back to the side of the scrum after his stint at lock against France, while Skinstad completes the loose trio by slotting in at No 8.

The new skipper said he was looking forward to a good game and was keen to show people the Boks has what it takes to challenge their Antipodean opposition next month. "My principal worry is to ensure the forwards are going forward. I think in a game like Italy we have to dominate them up front because I think we have the backs to show the world we can run the ball."

As for the Italians, they will be looking to exert damage control more than anything. They have been deprived of the services of 27 of their top players and coach Brad Johnstone admitted that this tour would only serve as an opportunity for the youngsters to put up their hands for the 2003 World Cup.

However, he warned that his troops would not go down without a fight. "We will attack the Springboks, not sit back and wait for them," he promised.

South Africa's main concern will come in the tight phases, with the visitors boasting a formidable pack which caused all sorts of problems in the Six Nations. The French exposed the Bok pack in the first Test and Johnstone said they would be focussing on this area.

The Italians will be hoping to avoid the 101-0 embarrassment they suffered the last time the played against the Springboks, in Durban, but will expect the worst having lost by 80 points to England in their last outing.

But they are coming up against a team that seems to have lost the art of scoring tries and they will be hoping the Boks' ineptitude in front of the tryline continues. However, wise money still has the home side winning by more than 50 points.

Teams for Telkom Park:

Springboks: Conrad Jantjes, Breyton Paulse, Robbie Fleck, Japie Mulder, Thinus Delport, Percy Montgomery, Neil de Kock, Bob Skinstad (capt), Andre Venter, Andre Vos, Mark Andrews, Johan Ackermann, Willie Meyer, John Smit, Ollie le Roux. Substitutes: Lucas van Biljon, Etienne Fynn, Victor Matfield, Corne Krige, Joost van der Westhuizen, Deon Kayser, Jaco van der Westhuyzen.

Italy: Giovanni Antoni, Massimiliano Perziano, Luca Martin, Walter Pozzebon, Nicola Mazzucato, Francesco Mazzariol, Allessandro Troncon, Carlo Checchinato, Aaron Persico, Fabio Ongaro, Marc Giacheri, Wim Visser, Andrea Muraro, Allesandro Moscardi, Salvatore Perugini. Substitutes: Giampiero de Carli, Claudio Beltamini, Marco Beltolami, Andrea de Rossi, Felipo Frati, Ramiro Pez, Giovanni Raineri.

Referee: Joel Dume (France)

Kick-off: 17:10 (SA Time)