The Springboks will look to tick certain boxes in their third-last match of the year.
The Springboks will want to tick a few specific boxes during their Test against Italy in Turin on Saturday.
They face the Azzurri for the third time this season after victories in Pretoria and Gqeberha in July.
The Springboks come from wins in their first two end-of-year tour matches against Japan and France, and a total of 10 wins from 12 games so far this year.
Repeat of Gqeberha performance
South Africa played poorly when they secured their 42–24 win over an understrength Italy in Pretoria (half-time score 28–3).
The Boks made wholesale changes for Gqeberha the next week, and were rewarded with a resounding 45-0 win at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The new-look side included Salmaan Moerat as captain, while Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Cobus Wiese and Ethan Hooker all made their debuts from the bench. It was also Willie le Roux’s 100th Test match.
Fresh faces have more often than not elevated performances for the Springboks this season, and with Rassie Erasmus making 11 changes to the side after France, fans can hope for another stellar performance.
Shut down Italy’s momentum
Italy secured their second-ever victory against Australia last weekend.
Their 26-19 win over Australia in Udine came thanks to tries by Australia-born Louis Lynagh and Montanna Ioane while the Wallabies’ Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii was in the sin bin in the second half.
Before that, Italy last won a game back in February (22-15 over Wales). They lost to South Africa (twice), Ireland, England and France between those two wins.
The South Africa match is Italy’s second-last of the season, with an easy clash against Chile the week afterwards.
With just three wins from 11 matches this year, the Azzurri will want to carry their momentum from the Wallabies victory into their final two clashes. The Springboks must not let that happen.
Pollard to show he is still relevant
Handré Pollard, long the Springboks’ most dependable goal-kicker, has taken a back seat in recent matches thanks to the sensational form shown by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Pollard was replaced after that underwhelming performance in Pretoria. He was also replaced in the first Rugby Championship defeat to New Zealand at Eden Park, missing five Tests for the Boks since then, though this did coincide with the birth of his daughter, Isabella.
The flyhalf now gets a start against Italy, with Manie Libbok on the bench. He will see the match as an opportunity to remind the world of his calibre.
Few would bet against him doing so.
Springboks display quality of depth
Much like the first point, the Springboks have another opportunity to show why their depth is envied the world over.
Johan Grobbelaar, Morné van den Berg, Jean Kleyn and Zachary Porthen have not featured much for the Boks recently, while Ben-Jason Dixon last played for the Boks in 2024.
There is also a new centre pairing in Ethan Hooker and Canan Moodie.
The team’s cohesion will largely be based on whether they found rhythm in training, rather than playing games together.
