Italy vs South Africa
Out the players come into the misty Turin air on what looks a typical Piedmontese November day. It’s not full to the brim, but there appears to be a decent crowd in.
Harry Latham-Coyle15 November 2025 12:35
Italy vs South Africa match officials
Referee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Jeremy Rozier (Fra)
James Doleman is in charge today (Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle15 November 2025 12:31
Siya Kolisi identifies breakdown as key area of contest
South Africa have put in the hard work to counter the threats posed by Italy, with the breakdown a key focus area for the world champions, according to captain Siya Kolisi.
Italy unsettled the Springboks in July when they toured South Africa and while the home side won their first test 42-24, Italy had the ascendancy in the breakdown battle.
Both teams are much changed from then, but Italy’s excellent 26-19 win over Australia last weekend shows they are still a force to be reckoned with when the ball is on the ground.
“It been one of the big areas we spoke about this week,” Kolisi told reporters on Friday. “We know how good they are. We have done our homework and we must look after it (the ball) properly.”
South Africa have made 11 changes to their starting XV from the side that beat France 32-17 in Paris and Kolisi says it is a chance for a new set of players to put up their hands for the grudge match against Ireland in Dublin on 22 November.
“We all want to play against Ireland and this is an opportunity for us to show what we are capable of doing as a team. But we know how hard this game will be,” Kolisi said.
Siya Kolisi’s South Africa take on Italy (AFP via Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle15 November 2025 12:20
Italy captain Juan Ignacio Brex ready for ‘battle’
Italy captain Juan Ignacio Brex is hoping that his side can learn from their two meetings with the Springboks in South Africa earlier this year as they face the world champions again.
“The feeling is obviously positive. We’re coming off a game that made us proud,” Brex said ahead of the game. “It gave us a lot of confidence, but we also know that game is over. Now we’re facing the best in the world and preparing for a real battle, not only physically but also mentally.”
“We faced them twice this summer. In the first match, they focused primarily on physicality, while in the second they focused more on open play and caused us more problems than in the first match. So, they’re a truly complete team, and you never know what to expect. They could challenge us in one-on-one contact, but they could also decide to spread the game and explore us out wide. The important thing for us will be to maintain possession and do what we know how to do when we have the ball.”
South Africa and Italy met earlier this year (Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle15 November 2025 12:10
Ben Earl, Andre Esterhuizen and what rugby’s hybrid players tell us about the future of the sport
Andre Esterhuizen spent much of the second half last week playing a combined centre and flanker role, showing how the Springboks have improved their adaptability again this year.
Harry Latham-Coyle15 November 2025 12:00
Team news – South Africa
The Springboks team is more heavily altered after the exertions against France a week ago. Siya Kolisi continues as captain but much of the rest of the starting line-up is freshened up, with opportunities for youngsters like Zachary Porthen and Ethan Hooker, who wears No 12 having impressed on the wing during the Rugby Championship.
The bench, as ever, is funky, with no specialist hooker included given Marco van Staden’s capacity to cover from No 8. Andre Esterhuizen and Kwagga Smith provide versatility among the replacements.
South Africa XV: 1 Boan Venter, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 3 Zachary Porthen; 4 Jean Kleyn, 5 Franco Mostert; 6 Siya Kolisi (capt.), 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 8 Marco van Staden; 9 Morne van den Berg, 10 Handre Pollard; 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Ethan Hooker, 13 Canan Moodie, 14 Edwill van der Merwe; 15 Damian Willemse.
Replacements: 16 Gerhard Steenekamp, 17 Wilco Louw, 18 RG Snyman, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Kwagga Smith; 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.
Harry Latham-Coyle15 November 2025 11:50
Team news – Italy
Italy make minimal changes to the side that beat Australia, though Marco Riccioni is preferred to Simone Ferrari at tighthead. Gonzalo Quesada does add an extra forward to the bench to brace for the challenge posed by the Springboks’ forward replacements.
Italy XV: 1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 3 Marco Riccioni; 4 Niccolo Cannone, 5 Andrea Zambonin; 6 Ross Vintcent, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 8 Lorenzo Cannone; 9 Stephen Varney, 10 Paolo Garbisi; 11 Monty Ioane, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex (capt.), 14 Louis Lynagh; 15 Ange Capuozzo.
Replacements: 16 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Simone Ferrari, 19 Federico Ruzza, 20 Riccardo Favretto, 21 David Odiease; 22 Martin Page-Relo, 23 Tommaso Allan.
Harry Latham-Coyle15 November 2025 11:45
Team news…
Right, there’s an hour or so until kick off – let’s take a closer look at the two teams…
Harry Latham-Coyle15 November 2025 11:40
The other Allianz Stadium
There will be plenty of focus on events at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham later, the redubbed home of English rugby set for a cracker as the hosts take on the All Blacks. But this first helping of international action is also at an Allianz Stadium – home of Juventus, the Turin ground was renamed in 2017 after a sponsorship deal and is an impressive place, seating just north of 40,000 people. Italy like to take their autumn games on the road away from Rome – though they’ll be back at the Stadio Olimpico for the Six Nations.
The Allianz Stadium is usually home to Juventus (Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle15 November 2025 11:30
Why Wales v Japan is the biggest match of the weekend
It’s another jam-packed weekend of international action, but is Wales vs Japan the most important game? Luke Baker makes the case for a clash that will be crucial for seeding for the upcoming World Cup draw.
Harry Latham-Coyle15 November 2025 11:20
