Test 2: South Africa vs Italy
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
Kick‑off: 4:10 pm local time (approx. 14:10 BST / 11:10 am ET)
🔥 Context & Stakes
South Africa leads the two-match series 1–0, following a 42–24 win in Pretoria last weekend. Despite racing into a 28–3 halftime lead, the Springboks were pegged back by an inspired Italian second-half display — scoring three tries and narrowing the gap .
With the series on the line, expectations are high for a sharper Springbok performance. A loss would not only squander the clean sweep but might disrupt their hold on the world No. 1 ranking just ahead of the Rugby Championship .
Team News
• Springbok Changes & Milestone:
• South Africa have rotated heavily: only four players retained from the first Test’s starting XV. Over a dozen players shuffled across the match-day squad .
• Full-back Willie le Roux will earn his 100th cap, becoming the 8th player in Springbok history to reach the milestone .
• The revamped back row includes Jasper Wiese, Pieter‑Steph du Toit, and Marco van Staden, with Salmaan Moerat captaining in place of the injured Siya Kolisi .
• Halfback duo Manie Libbok and Grant Williams headline an attack-minded selection, supported by a fresh engine room .
• Italy’s Rejuvenated Lineup:
• Coach Gonzalo Quesada has introduced five changes, including Mirko Belloni making his first international start at full-back.
• Lorenzo Cannone is ruled out due to a back injury; Ross Vintcent, South African-born, shifts to number eight.
• Sebastian Negri returns from injury, bringing leadership as Italy’s second-most capped player (64 caps) .
• The rest of the backline sees Giacomo Da Re at fly-half and Alessandro Garbisi at scrum-half, with Trulla, Lynagh, Zanon, Menoncello, and others forming a balanced back-three and center pairing .
Tactical & Form Insights
• South Africa, while dominant on paper, know they underperformed in the first Test and will be keen to rediscover their famed physical intensity and cohesion. Erasmus notably has emphasized rotating his squad given the depth ahead of the Rugby Championship ().
• Italy’s second-half fight in Pretoria showed resilience and highlighted their youthful squad’s potential. If they replicate that energy and discipline, they could keep the scoreboard honest ().
Estimated scoreline:
South Africa 45‑15 Italy (approx.)
Key Players to Watch
• Willie le Roux — celebrating his 100th cap, will aim to deliver a classy back‑three performance with experience and composure.
• Manie Libbok & Grant Williams — promises of a high-tempo half-back pairing capable of unlocking Italy’s defense.
• Mirko Belloni — Italy’s debutant full-back looking to inject youthful verve into the backline.
• Sebastian Negri — veteran presence in the back row to shore up Italy’s breakdown work.
Final Thought
Italy showed they belong in the Test arena last weekend, and they’ll draw confidence from that second‑half fight. But South Africa’s firepower, boosted by fresh legs and milestone motivation, sets the scene for what looks likely to be another dominant display—this time with more edge and urgency.
