Italy and South Africa meet in Turin on Saturday in a matchup that carries far more intrigue than it did when the Autumn Nations Series schedule first dropped. This is a live updates article, and fans can follow every key moment as it happens. Refresh this page throughout the match for the latest updates.
World No. 1 South Africa arrives at Allianz Stadium in Turin with the usual weight of expectation, even as Rassie Erasmus rotates heavily after last weekend’s win over France. Only four starters remain from that victory, but any Springboks XV featuring Siya Kolisi and Handre Pollard still arrives with authority.
Italy, ranked tenth, enters with momentum after stunning Australia, and Gonzalo Quesada’s selection suggests belief rather than damage limitation.
Italy’s forward pack will again set the tone. Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera and Marco Riccioni form a front row capable of troubling an inexperienced South African trio with just 12 caps combined. Niccolo Cannone and Andrea Zambonin lock the scrum, while captain Lorenzo Cannone anchors a back row built to disrupt breakdown rhythm. Quesada openly challenged his team to “put them under pressure” by targeting the Springboks’ unfamiliar combinations.
South Africa’s answers come through power and depth. Kolisi leads a pack featuring Franco Mostert and Jean Kleyn, with Marco van Staden offering punch at No. 8 and emergency hooker cover. Pollard’s return at flyhalf gives the visitors a composed organiser to steer debut partnerships, including Canan Moodie and Ethan Hooker in midfield. Kurt-Lee Arendse, Edwill van der Merwe and Damian Willemse round out a dangerous back three.
Breakdown intensity will be decisive. Erasmus noted Italy had “66 bites at the breakdown” in Pretoria in July, an unusually high number against the Springboks. If Italy replicate that disruption, the contest tightens. If South Africa settle early, their depth and ball carriers should tilt the match.
Italy’s backs bring a genuine threat. Ange Capuozzo, Louis Lynagh and Monty Ioane thrive in broken play, while Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello form one of Europe’s sharpest midfield pairings. Their involvement, however, depends entirely on whether the Italian pack can secure workable possession.
South Africa’s bench, featuring RG Snyman, Kwagga Smith and Manie Libbok, looms as a late-game separator. Italy must withstand both the opening collisions and the final-quarter surge.
A shock is unlikely, but Italy have earned the right to ask questions of the world champions. Expect resistance, ambition and enough tactical curiosity to make this more than a formality.
*Kickoff is 12:40 GMT. (06.40 ET) Stay here for live updates and refresh the page for the latest action.*
11′ Permanent Red Card
That is a shocker for the Boks. After the fallout from Paris, this should not be the case for South Africa. That was a clear red, and the World Champions will once again play the bulk of a match with a red card. Paolo Garbisi misses the penalty from straight in front. Good thing Rassie has selected two locks on the bench.
11′ This Could Be Red For The Boks
In back-to-back weeks, Springbok locks have gone high with tucked arms. You almost cannot make this up. Franco Mostert could be in for a red card here as he hit Garbisi high and tucks his arm.
7′ Superb Italian Strike
Now that is a beautiful piece of play by the home side. Juan Ignacio Brex takes the ball to the line before finding Monte Ioane out the back, who then gets on the outside of Canan Moodie. Unfortunately for the hosts, Ross Vintcent is pinged for an off-the-ball incident that denies Italy a five-meter lineout.
Clear Patterns Emerging
Both sides are clearly focusing on the kicking game early in this contest. Pollard and Garbisi have nailed early up, the Bok 10 has also exposed the Italian rush defence with a deft dink over the top. It’s interesting that the arm wrestle has started this early, for the Azzurri it’s a risky game given the opponent.
Kick-Off
The Springboks get us underway through Handre Pollard. This is going to be a cracker and we are glad you have chosen to join us for it!
Anthems Done
Absolutely electric! That is the only way to describe the atmosphere in Turin! There are few more passionate anthems in the game Il Canto degli Italiani?
The Power Game
Both teams are now working through their structured warm-ups, and the early signs point to a brutally physical contest. Italy have directed much of their preparation at the contact zone, focusing on double tackles and clamp pressure at the ruck. Quesada knows this is their clearest path to slowing the Springbok rhythm.
South Africa’s focus is equally obvious. Their new look front row of Boan Venter, Johan Grobbelaar and Zachary Porthen has been put through extended scrummaging sequences during warm-up. Erasmus has already acknowledged the inexperience in this area, but he also knows the Italian front row of Fischetti, Nicotera, and Riccioni will test them relentlessly.
Pollard ran long kicking grids with Morne van den Berg earlier, suggesting South Africa may lean on territory in the opening stages. Italy’s back three of Capuozzo, Ioane and Lynagh will need to be clean under the high ball.
Stay here as we build toward kickoff.
Has Anything Changed Since Last Time Out?
There is real intrigue building around whether Italy can cause South Africa problems similar to those they created in Pretoria four months ago. In that match, Italy had sixty six involvements at the breakdown, an astonishing number against a Springbok side usually known for precision and discipline. It forced South Africa into messy phases and kept the contest competitive far longer than expected.
But the return fixture in Gqeberha was a reminder of the Springbok ceiling. They shut Italy out forty five to zero and imposed complete control from the opening quarter. That performance, combined with the experimental selection today, has created a fascinating tension. Italy sense opportunity. South Africa view this as a controlled examination of their depth.
As we get closer to kickoff, both groups look sharp during early warm ups. More updates coming shortly, so keep refreshing.
Rassie Continues To Test Bok Versatility
Italy and South Africa have completed their final preparations in Turin ahead of today’s clash at Allianz Stadium. The Springboks arrive as the number one team in the world, but Rassie Erasmus has made sweeping changes from the lineup that beat France last weekend. Only four starters return, giving this match an experimental edge as the world champions continue to test combinations ahead of next year’s run of fixtures.
Italy, meanwhile, bring continuity and confidence. Gonzalo Quesada has kept faith with the side that stunned Australia, and the energy around the squad suggests they believe they can at least disrupt South Africa’s rhythm. Ange Capuozzo, Paolo Garbisi and Juan Ignacio Brex headline a backline capable of causing problems if the pack can provide the platform. The crowd is expected to build steadily across the afternoon, and conditions look ideal for rugby. Stay here for live updates and refresh the page for the latest developments.
Previous Results
2025: Springboks won 45 to 0 in Gqeberha
2025: Springboks won 42 to 24 in Pretoria
2022: Springboks won 63 to 21 in Genoa
2019: Springboks won 49 to 3 in Shizuoka
2017: Springboks won 35 to 6 in Padua
2016: Italy won 20 to 18 in Florence
2014: Springboks won 22 to 6 in Padua
2013: Springboks won 44 to 10 in Durban
2010: Springboks won 55 to 11 in East London
2010: Springboks won 29 to 13 in Witbank
2009: Springboks won 32 to 10 in Udine
2008: Springboks won 26 to 0 in Cape Town
Italy Team
15 Ange Capuozzo
14 Louis Lynagh
13 Juan Ignacio Brex (c)
12 Tommaso Menoncello
11 Monty Ioane
10 Paolo Garbisi
9 Stephen Varney
8 Lorenzo Cannone
7 Manuel Zuliani
6 Ross Vintcent
5 Andrea Zambonin
4 Niccolo Cannone
3 Marco Riccioni
2 Giacomo Nicotera
1 Danilo Fischetti
Replacements:
16 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo
17 Mirco Spagnolo
18 Simone Ferrari
19 Federico Ruzza
20 Riccardo Favretto
21 David Odiase
22 Martin Page-Relo
23 Tommaso Allan
South Africa Team
15 Damian Willemse
14 Edwill van der Merwe
13 Canan Moodie
12 Ethan Hooker
11 Kurt Lee Arendse
10 Handre Pollard
9 Morne van den Berg
8 Marco van Staden
7 Ben Jason Dixon
6 Siya Kolisi (c)
5 Franco Mostert
4 Jean Kleyn
3 Zachary Porthen
2 Johan Grobbelaar
1 Boan Venter
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
Which Cities Will Host 2031 Rugby World Cup Matches? Here’s Who is In The Running
Rugby’s biggest stage is heading to the United States, as the 2031 Men’s Rugby World Cup makes its historic debut in the Americas.
A total of 27 cities and regions have been proposed as potential hosts and celebration hubs, including Houston, New York/New Jersey and Los Angeles.
Read More For The Full List: 27 U.S. Cities In Running To Host 2031 Rugby World Cup
Autumn Nations 2025 Schedule & Autumn Internationals 2025 Schedule
Saturday, Nov. 8
- 7 a.m. ET – Georgia vs. USA – Adjarabet Arena (Autumn International)
- 7:40 a.m. ET – Ireland vs. Japan – Aviva Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 10:10 a.m. ET – Scotland vs. New Zealand – Scottish Gas Murrayfield (Autumn Nations)
- 12:40 p.m. ET – Italy vs. Australia – Bluenergy Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 12:40 p.m. ET – England vs. Fiji – Allianz Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 3:10 p.m. ET – France vs. South Africa – Stade de France (Autumn Nations)
- 10 a.m. ET – Colombia vs. Mexico – Estadio Cincuentenario (Autumn International)
- 10 a.m. ET – Romania vs. Canada – Stadionul Național Arcul de Triumf (Autumn International)
- 10 a.m. ET – Portugal vs. Uruguay – Estádio Nacional do Jamor (Autumn International)
Sunday, Nov. 9
- 10:10 a.m. ET – Wales vs Argentina – Principality Stadium (Autumn Nations)
Saturday, Nov. 15
- 7 a.m. ET – Georgia vs. Canada – Adjarabet Arena (Autumn International)
- 7:40 a.m. ET – Italy vs. South Africa – Allianz Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 10 a.m. ET – Romania vs. USA – Stadionul Național Arcul de Triumf (Autumn International)
- 10:10 a.m. ET – England vs. New Zealand – Allianz Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 12:40 p.m. ET – Wales vs. Japan – Principality Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 3:10 p.m. ET – France vs. Fiji – Stade Matmut-Atlantique (Autumn Nations)
- 3:10 p.m. ET – Ireland vs. Australia – Aviva Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 10 a.m. ET – Portugal vs. Hong Kong China – Estádio Nacional do Jamor (Autumn International)
Sunday, Nov. 16
- 10:10 a.m. ET – Scotland vs. Argentina – Scottish Gas Murrayfield (Autumn Nations)
Saturday, Nov. 22
- 7 a.m. ET – Georgia vs. Japan – Mikheil Meskhi Stadium (Autumn International)
- 10:10 a.m. ET – Wales vs. New Zealand – Principality Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 11 a.m. ET – Spain vs. Fiji – Estadio Ciudad de Málaga (Autumn International)
- 12:40 p.m. ET – Ireland vs. South Africa – Aviva Stadium (Autumn Nations)
- 3:10 p.m. ET – Italy vs. Chile – Stadio Luigi Ferraris (Autumn Nations)
- 3:10 p.m. ET – France vs. Australia – Stade de France (Autumn Nations)
- 10 a.m. ET – Romania vs. Uruguay – Stadionul Național Arcul de Triumf (Autumn International)
- 11 a.m. ET – Portugal vs. Canada – Estádio Municipal Cidade de Coimbra (Autumn International)
Sunday, Nov. 23
- 8:40 a.m. ET – Scotland vs. Tonga – Scottish Gas Murrayfield (Autumn Nations)
- 11:10 a.m. ET – England vs. Argentina – Allianz Stadium (Autumn Nations)
Saturday, Nov. 29
- 10:10 a.m. ET – Wales vs. South Africa – Principality Stadium (Autumn Nations)
How To Watch Autumn Nations Series 2025
The 2025 Autumn Nations will be broadcast on different networks all over the world.
If you live in the USA, you can watch the games on Peacock.
- UK: TNT Sports
- USA: Peacock
- Ireland: TNT Sports (Autumn Nations Games) / Virgin Media (Ireland Games)
- Wales: S4C
- South Africa: SuperSport
- Australia: Stan Sport
- New Zealand: Sky Sport NZ
Latest World Rugby Rankings On Nov. 10, 2025
See the official rankings on World.Rugby here.
- South Africa 93.06
- New Zealand 91.35
- Ireland 88.85
- England 88.06
- France 86.95
- Argentina 84.30
- Australia 81.69
- Scotland 81.21
- Fiji 81.15
- Italy 78.98
- Georgia 74.69
- Wales 73.57
- Japan 73.25
- Spain 69.12
- Uruguay 68.52
- USA 67.40
- Samoa 66.94
- Chile 66.75
- Tonga 66.66
- Portugal 64.52
How The Rugby World Rankings Work
Read the full explanation on World.Rugby here.
Calculation
Men’s and Women’s World Rugby Rankings are calculated using a ‘Points Exchange’ system, where sides gain or lose points based on the match result.
Other criteria include the relative strength of each team, the margin of victory and an allowance for home advantage.
Member Unions
All member countries have a rating, typically between 0 and 100. The top side in the world normally will have a rating above 90. Any match that is not a full international between two member countries does not count at all.
RWC Ranking
Points are doubled during the World Cup Finals to recognise the importance of this event, but all other international matches, friendly or competitive, are treated the same across the world.
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
Professional club rugby in Europe all streams on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.
Join The Rugby Conversation On FloRugby Social
