Springbok defence coach Jerry Flannery has warned that Italy will still be a dangerous side when the two teams meet in Turin on Saturday, even though the hosts are missing several key players.
The Nations Championship match will be played at the Allianz Stadium, with kick-off at 2.45pm. It is the first Nations Championship game of November for the Springboks.
“They have a really strong set-piece. Their scrum is probably up there with one of the best in the Six Nations, and that gives them a big advantage going into the game,” Flannery said.
Italy will be without about 16 players. Among them are Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello and captain Michele Lamaro.
Flannery said these absences should not make anyone think less of the Italians. He pointed to their scrum, their coaching and the depth they have built over the past few years.
“They are also a very well-coached team who do the basics very well. They still have players like utility back Ange Capuozzo, who can break a game open if you give him half a chance,” he said.
He said Italy would miss Brex because he is a good footballer. He described Menoncello as one of the best centres in the world and very powerful.
“But Italy have shown that they are building depth in their squad, and coming into the World Cup, that will benefit them in the long term as those players gain more Test caps,” Flannery said.
He said the Springboks had picked out some dangerous Italian players. But the plan is to defend against Italy as a whole team, and not to focus only on single players.
The Irish coach also spoke about Italy’s last visit to Pretoria. In that match, Italy pushed the Springboks close even though they were missing several first-choice players.
South Africa have picked a team close to full strength for Saturday. Coaches chose not to hand debuts to uncapped players for this match.
The world champions want to build a solid base before their Tests against France and Ireland in the weeks that follow.
Flannery said the short time to prepare was a challenge. He added that every team in the Nations Championship faces the same problem.
He said the players already know the coaches and the team’s systems, which made the change easier. Much of the work from the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series is still fresh in their minds, although the team must keep growing.
“It was a case of getting them together, not overloading them, but reminding them of how we do things when we’re in camp with the Boks,” Flannery 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.