The Springboks are certain to be overwhelming favourites in opposition to Italy, however there’s additionally motive to be cautious of the Azzurri this weekend.
For South Africa, they are going to be seeking to bounce back from their losses in opposition to Ireland and France as they now head into the third of their finish of 12 months Tests on Saturday, 19 November. Kick-off in Genoa will likely be at 15:00 (SA time).
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Coach Jacques Nienaber has made 4 adjustments and two positional switches to the Springboks workforce as they head into this must-win conflict, with wholesale adjustments having been restricted as a result of the truth that Italy can’t be underestimated.
A have a look at the history books present that out of the 15 Tests between these groups, the Springboks have gained all however one sport, whereas their most up-to-date victory got here within the 49-3 thrashing dished out on the 2019 World Cup.
However, only a few will neglect the day that Italy surprised South Africa 20-18 in Florence on the finish of 2016, which was a end result that many believed in the end sealed the destiny of former coach Allister Coetzee.
History is closely on the Springboks’ facet coming into this conflict, however with new combos within the tight 5 and at centre, Italy may sniff a possibility to make a robust begin and probably put some doubt into the minds of the South Africans.
Italy will even be using a wave of confidence after they surprised Australia with a 28-27 win final weekend, which was their first-ever overcome the Wallabies.
The Springboks ought to nonetheless really feel totally assured of claiming a snug win this weekend, and are prone to implement the identical mentality that they employed through the 2019 World Cup, which was to easily overpower Italy with their physicality.
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Below you’ll be able to see the Springboks’ latest end result in opposition to Italy:
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SPRINGBOKS TEAM
15 – Willie le Roux (Toyota Verblitz) – 81 caps, 65 pts (13t)
14 – Cheslin Kolbe (Toulon) – 22 caps, 61 pts (10t, 1c, 3p)
13 – Damian de Allende (Wild Knights) – 68 caps, 45 pts (9t)
12 – Andre Esterhuizen (Harlequins) – 10 caps, 0pts
11 – Kurt-Lee Arendse (Vodacom Bulls) – 5 caps, 20 pts (4t)
10 – Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers) – 25 caps, 25 pts (1t, 4c, 4p)
9 – Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles) – 44 caps, 30 pts (5t, 1c, 1p)
8 – Jasper Wiese (Leicester Tigers) – 19 caps, 5 pts (1t)
7 – Franco Mostert (Honda Heat) – 61 caps, 15 pts (3t)
6 – Siya Kolisi (captain, Cell C Sharks) – 73 caps, 45 pts (9t)
5 – Marvin Orie (DHL Stormers) – 8 caps, 0 pts
4 – Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers) – 2 caps, 0 pts
3 – Frans Malherbe (DHL Stormers) – 56 caps, 5 pts (1t)
2 – Bongi Mbonambi (Cell C Sharks) – 53 caps, 55 pts (11t)
1 – Ox Nche (Cell C Sharks) – 17 caps, 0 pts
Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears) – 57 caps, 65 pts (13t)
17 – Steven Kitshoff (DHL Stormers) – 69 caps, 5 pts (1t)
18 – Vincent Koch (Stade Francais) – 40 caps, 0 pts
19 – Eben Etzebeth (Cell C Sharks) – 108 caps, 15 pts (3t)
20 – Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs) – 29 caps, 15 pts (3t)
21 – Evan Roos (DHL Stormers) – 1 cap, 0 pts
22 – Cobus Reinach (Montpellier) – 22 caps, 40 pts (8t)
23 – Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers) – 1 cap, 0 pts
Springbok report in opposition to Italy:
Played 15; Won 14; Lost 1; Points for: 701, Points in opposition to: 174; Tries scored 96, Tries conceded 14; Highest rating 101-0; Biggest win 101 factors. Win % 93%.
Milestones:
- Siya Kolisi is the second most capped Springbok captain having led the facet in 43 Test matches.
- Eben Etzebeth is the second most capped Springbok lock with 108 Tests.
Miscellaneous:
- The whole Test caps for the Springbok beginning line-up is 544.
- There are 255 caps within the backline, with 289 caps among the many forwards. On the bench there are an extra 327 caps.
- The common caps per participant within the backline are 36, the forwards 36, whereas the gamers on the bench common 40.
