Italy's new coach Jacques Brunel has added South African scrumhalf Tobie Botes to his 31-man squad to play France in Paris on Saturday when France will be anxious to wipe out the memory of last season's defeat at the hands of the Azzurri.

Botes comes in as Argentinian flyhalf Luciano Orquera is doubtful.

Botes, who is 28, was born in Worcester in the Western Cape and went to school at Worcester Gymnasium. He first played provincial rugby for Boland Cavaliers in 2004 when he played for them twice before moving to Griquas for three seasons. In 2008 he played for the Cheetahs three times in Super Rugby.

In 2009 Botes moved to Benetton Treviso and has just qualified by residence to play for Italy. Also at Benetton are two South Africans who have played for Italy - Cornel van Zyl and Benjamin de Jager.