Italy vs South Africa | Saturday 22 November | Stadio Euganeo | 16:00
The Azzurri face their toughest test of the year-end internationals this weekend when they take on a revived Springbok side seeking their twelfth consecutive victory over their Italian confrères.
Italy got off to a good start this season by securing a convincing 24-13 victory over Samoa two weeks back, ending a nine-game losing streak for the locals in Ascoli. Last weekend they ran out against a battle hardened Argentina, and thanks to an explosive performance early on the Azzurri went into the break with 12-10 lead. But Los Pumas, still smarting from their 41-31 defeat at Murrayfield a week before, came out from the interval the more determined side and scrapped their way to a narrow 20-18 victory.
The Springboks turned their tour fortunes around, bouncing back from their harrowing defeat to the Irish two weeks ago, by clinching a compelling 31-28 victory over the English in London. The Twickenham Test delivered a more clinical display from the second-best side in the World, as the Springboks turned almost every opportunity into points, retaining the lead throughout the game despite the hosts enjoying the majority of the possession and territory.
To Win (80mins)
Italy 8/1
South Africa 1/14
Draw 33/1
Handicaps
Italy (+19.5) 9/10
South Africa (-19.5) 9/10
Italy
The Italians have made just one change to the side that fell short against a burly Los Pumas last week. Coach Jacques Brunel has named the uncapped Fijian-born loose forward Samuela Vunisa to start in place of the injured Simone Favaro for Saturday’s clash with the Springboks. Vunisa was one of three debutants in the Azzurri squad for the end of year Test series along with Treviso wing Simone Ragusi, who remains uncapped, and Zebre pivot Kelly Haimona, who has made a phenomenal start to his Test career with fine performances against both Samoa and Argentina.
South Africa
Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer has made four changes to the side that took down England last week, most of them up front. Tendai Mtawarira and the injured Jannie du Plessis are replaced in the front row by Trevor Nyakane and Coenie Oosthuizen. Teboho Mohoje returns to the run on side to replace veteran Schalk Burger on the flank. Just one change in the backline sees injury prone youngster Johan Goosen making his first start at fullback, with Willie le Roux dropping down to the bench.
VERDICT: South Africa (-19.5) 9/10
The South Africans have never lost against the Italians, and judging by the expansive attacking play displayed against the English last week, they’re not about to start now. The average scorecard reads 13-52 in the Springboks’ favour in the eleven Test history between the two nations, and while I expect it’ll be a bit closer than that this time around I feel the South Africans will do enough to clear the handicap comfortably.
Think we’ve got it wrong? Well leave your comments below and tell us how you think this is going to play out.
