Coming off the back of a quite brilliant performance against France in Paris last week, Siya Kolisi’s world number ones now turn their attention to the third clash of their overseas tour: a date with the Aussie-slaying Azzurri in Spain.
Here are three key factors that will be crucial for the Boks as they seek a third win over Italy this year.
Maintaining momentum with fresh faces
Rassie Erasmus has made 11 changes to the starting XV that conquered Paris last week in a complete overhaul. A new look centre pairing of Ethan Hooker and Canan Moodie is perhaps the most eye-catching pick of the lot, though there is competition to be found in the return of Hollywoodbets Sharks flyer Edwill van der Merwe on the right wing, as well as an interesting front row featuring Zachary Porthen, Johan Grobbelaar and Boan Venter.
Although the Boks picked up comfortable 42-24 and 45-0 victories over the Italians at home in July, the side should be wary of potentially losing too much team chemistry ahead of this weekend’s clash. As much as Erasmus and his coaches have deservedly earned praise for their squad rotation policy, there have been instances over the past two seasons where fresh combinations have failed to click from the get-go, resulting in some sub-par performances.
Still, while all the talk has centred around the amount of changes Dr Erasmus has made, a match with 10th-ranked Italy on foreign soil is an ideal way to further harness the side’s depth in player combinations ahead of the next World Cup, with the European outfit unlikely to get close to this Bok team.
Italian self-belief on attack
Italy’s 26-19 comeback win over the Wallabies in Udine last week marked their second in succession over the two-time world champions – this after losing the preceding 18 Tests between the nations. The significance of that result is sure to factor into Gonzalo Quesada’s side’s performance this week, and while a victory over the back-to-back Rugby Championship winners likely remains out of reach, there’s reason to believe Italy have enough quality to spark some moments of attacking ingenuity.
In-form Paolo Garbisi and a gifted midfield combo of Tommaso Menoncello and Ignacio Brex have the potential to cause the Boks problems if their forwards can gain some kind of parity up front. Back three speedsters Monty Ioane, Louis Lynagh and magic man Ange Capuozzo proved again against Australia that they are proper Test match quality, with try-scorer Lynagh in particular having a stormer at the Stadio Friuli.
Although the result does seem inevitable, neutrals will be hoping Quesada’s side can utilise the confidence they gained against Australia as effectively as possible to spark something in the way of attacking chances.
Bench impact
If last week at the Stade de France is anything to go by, things could get real ugly for Italy in the second-half if they don’t keep things as tight as they can in the first. The Boks’ Bomb Squad has the ability to rack up a big score through their sheer brutality, and the likes of Bomb Squad regulars RG Snyman and Kwagga Smith will be licking their chops at the prospect of getting stuck into Italian jerseys in that final quarter.
Key for Italy will be damage limitation in that first forty, because if the Bok subs are in the same mood as they were against France, it’s doubtful there will be too much the men in blue will be able to do to stop a late onslaught.
