Match News and Current Form
The Springboks begin their Test season here having shook off the rust last week in comprehensive fashion, running out 54-7 victors over the Barbarians in a wet and rainy Cape Town. Coach Rassie Erasmus has somewhat opted for consistency with five changes made to his starting XV, highlighted by an official Test debut for Vincent Tshituka and a return at fullback for Damian Willemse, whose last match in the green and gold was the 2023 Rugby World Cup final.
Elsewhere, Marco Van Staden continues to deputise for the injured Siya Kolisi, meaning Jesse Kriel will officially become the 67th Springbok captain, while on the bench the Loftus crowd will eagerly be awaiting for their very own Willie Le Roux to step on the field to collect cap number 99.
As for the Italians, they’ve been in Southern Africa for some time now after acclimatising and proving they’re not to be discounted through last week's 73-6 demolition of Namibia. This came after three defeats to end their Six Nations campaign, which ended somewhat happily as they avoided the wooden spoon for a second successive year.
Coach Gonzalo Quesada must now navigate a two-game tour of South Africa, and he’s rung the changes for the first Test with seven players coming into this starting line-up, but the most notable mention is that the captaincy has been handed to experienced lock Niccolò Cannone.
Head-to-Head History
These two have shared the field on 16 occasions in the past, with South Africa only suffering one shock defeat in that time (W15). The last two H2Hs ended in resounding Springbok wins, with the margins of victory being as wide as 46 and 42 points respectively.
Hot Stats and Streaks
South Africa have an impeccable 78% win record at Loftus Versfeld, winning 32 of their 41 Tests there.
The Springboks scored a try within the opening ten minutes in five of their last six games.
Italy scored the game’s first try in four of their last five outings.
Italy scored more than 20 points in six of their last seven away games.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
After crossing the whitewash first last week, Springbok hooker Malcolm Marx will likely be in the mood once again considering he’s scored in his last two matches against Italy. The visitors biggest threat lies in midfield in centre Tommaso Menoncello, since the 2024 Six Nations player of the Championship has scored tries in two of his last three games for the Azzurri.
Kolisi continues to be South Africa’s high profile absentee, and he’s joined in the physios room by the injured Jean Kleyne. For Italy, they left a host of experienced talent at home for this tour, including former skipper and back-row Michele Lamaro, and regular utility backs Ange Capuozzo and Tommaso Allan.
Betting Analysis
Given the Springboks have covered the pre-match handicap in six of their last seven matches now, and have scored 30+ points in 12 of their 15 wins over Italy, South Africa could cover the handicap again here.