Italy v South Africa Preview

South Africa got back to winning ways last weekend in an impressive win over England at Twickenham and will now look to continue their November Series with a win against the Italians before finishing their November series against Wales. The Italians host the Springboks on Saturdays on the back of another defeat with the Pumas leaving Italy with a win. It was a tough pill for Italy to swallow as they looked to make it two wins from two after losing their previous nine games before their win over Samoa two weeks ago.

It will be a huge ask for Italy to win on Saturday with the history books showing that these two sides have met 11 times with South Africa winning all 11 of those games. In all of those games Italy have been blown away. Suffering heavy defeats from the Springboks which included a 44-10 win in 2013. The last time the Boks travelled to Italy was back in 2009 when they recorded a 32-10 win at the Stadio Friuli in Udine.

In teams news Italy make only one change from the side that were narrowly defeated by the Pumas with Samuela Vunisa making his debut for the Italians replacing Simone Favaro who drops out of the squad completely. New Zealand born Kelly Haimona will continue at Flyhalf with Gori continuing at nine in what is the same half back partnership for a third game in a row.

As for South Africa they make four changes from the side that defeated England last Saturday. There are three changes in the pack with two in the front row with Trevor Nyakane making his first start for the Boks replacing the Beast who is not selected in the matchday squad. The other change at front row see’s Coenie Oosthuizen promoted from the bench with Jannie Du Plessis missing through injury. In the back row despite scoring a try against England Schalk Burger is not selected with  Teboho Mohoje returning to the starting line up.  The only change in the backline see Johan Goosen starting at Full-back with Willie La Roux dropping to the bench.

South Africa should make it 12 from 12 against the Italians but Italy have beaten France and Ireland at home before and will look to add another major scalp to the History books with a win over the Springboks on Saturday.