Springbok No 8 Jasper Wiese said the team will not be complacent when they face Italy in Turin on Saturday. He said the Boks have learned from their defeat to the Wallabies in Perth.
The Nations Championship match will be played at Allianz Stadium. Wiese spoke to the media from Turin on Wednesday.
“We spoke about the Wallabies loss this week,” Wiese said. “We want to win and learn, but you can learn bigger lessons in defeat.”
He added that the players did not want to slip into bad habits. “We don’t want to become complacent and then lose. Obviously, we all want to win,” he said.
Wiese said only a few things went wrong in Perth. “I think there were just a couple of things that went against us against Australia. So, I don’t think it will be the case that we are complacent against Italy,” he said.
Coach Rassie Erasmus made 13 changes to the team that beat the All Blacks in Baltimore before the Perth game. On Monday, he admitted that his “roll of the dice” had failed.
For the Italy match, Erasmus has picked a much stronger match 23. IOL Sport reported that it is close to the team he would choose for a World Cup final.
Wiese will start in the loose trio with Pieter-Steph du Toit and Siya Kolisi. Young players Paul de Villiers and Cameron Hanekom are on the bench.
Wiese said the team is not trying to chase bonus points or a better points difference in Turin.
“It is not about chasing anything,” he said. “We respect the occasion and are going out to play as well as we can and win the match. Everyone in this team understands the honour of playing for their country.”
“I am as excited for this game as I was for my first Test,” he added.
Italy have given the Springboks trouble before. They had some uncomfortable moments for the Boks during their 2025 tour of South Africa. The two teams also met in Turin last November.
The Perth match was also a milestone for Wiese. He played his 50th Test for South Africa in that game, even though the team lost.
“It was very special for me to reach the personal milestone in Perth,” he said. “I’m so privileged to be here, and it’s an incredible honour to represent my country.”
Wiese said he never expected to reach this point in his career. “I never thought I would be in this position. So I’m very grateful, not just for everyone who is here, but for the Heavenly Father who has given me the talent to be here,” he said.
Source: this article is based on reporting by IOL Sport. Image: IOL Sport. Written with the help of AI and published by the Tzaneen Voice Sports desk. See our Editorial Standards.
Tiyani Mathebula writes about sport for Tzaneen Voice. Tiyani covers Bafana Bafana, the Springboks, the Proteas and the PSL, along with athletics, tennis and local club sport. Match reports and previews focus on results, team news, fixtures and what each game means for South African teams and fans.