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Italy make one change for Tonga

Andries van Schalkwyk, who scored one of Italy's two tries against the crisis-hit Springboks in Florence, is replaced in the second row by Quintin Geldenhuys.

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Bloemfontein-born Van Schalkwyk came off injured in Florence and "is still recovering", according to the Italian Rugby Federation (FIR). 

Following a promising June tour of the Americas, Italy began their campaign under O'Shea with a 10-68 hammering by the All Blacks in Rome a fortnight ago, but bounced back in spectacular fashion to hand the 'Boks their first defeat to Italy in 13 meetings.

The Azzurri host Tonga on Saturday in Padova looking to make it two wins out of two. Italy have played Tonga four times, winning three of the meetings.

Italy: 15 Edoardo Padovani, 14 Giulio Bisegni, 13 Tommaso Benvenuti, 12 Luke McLean, 11 Giovanbattista Venditti, 10 Carlo Canna, 9 Giorgio Bronzini, 8 Sergio Parisse (captain), 7 Simone Favaro, 6 Francesco Minto, 5 Marco Fuser, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 2 Ornel Gega, 1 Sami Panico.

Replacements: 16 Tommaso D'apice, 17 Nicola Quaglio, 18 Simone Ferrari, 19 George Biagi, 20 Abraham Steyn, 21 Edoardo Gori, 22 Tommaso Allan, 23 Michele Campagnaro.

Date: Saturday, November 26

Venue: Stadio Euganeo, Padova

Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 GMT; 04.00 TOST Sunday, November 27)

Referee: John Lacey (Ireland)

Assistant referees: Alex Ruiz (France), Andrew Brace (Ireland)

TMO: Jon Mason (Wales)

Agence France-Presse

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