Italy team vs Springboks: Ioane wins 50th cap, Nicotera captains
Gonzalo Quesada has picked a side missing 16 players for the Turin Test on Saturday 7 November, with kick-off at 13:40 SA time.
Follow-up to Springboks team vs Italy: Moerat starts, 14 changes made
Monty Ioane will play his 50th Test for Italy against the Springboks, in a side that coach Gonzalo Quesada named on Thursday 5 November 2026 with 16 players unavailable. The Australian-born wing reaches the landmark in the Nations Championship match in Turin on Saturday 7 November.
Hooker Giacomo Nicotera captains Italy for only the second time.
The captaincy is open because regular skipper Michele Lamaro is among the absentees, along with Sebastian Negri and Andrea Zambonin. Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex are injured, so Paolo Odogwu partners Leonardo Marin in the centres. Samuele Locatelli debuts at openside flanker in Lamaro's place, and Alessandro Ortombina starts at blindside for only his third cap.
History favours the visitors
The Springboks have lost just once to Italy in 19 meetings, 20-18 in Florence 10 years ago. Simone Ferrari and Tommaso Allan, who is among the replacements, are the only players in the matchday 23 who played in that game. Twelve months ago in Turin, Franco Mostert was sent off early on, yet the Springboks still won 32-14 against Italy, having been a man down for most of the contest.
Eoghan Cross of Ireland referees.
More on RuckBee: South Africa · Springboks team vs Italy: Moerat starts, 14 changes made · Springboks vs Italy kick-off in Turin set for 13:40 SA time on Saturday
Sources
- Boks won’t underestimate Italy in Nations Champs clash | SA Rugby (SA Rugby)
- Italy name side to face Springboks in Nations Championship (The South African)
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