The Springboks are set to take on a resurgent Italy side today, Saturday, November 15, 2025, at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.1 With kick-off scheduled for 14:40 SA time, this is the third-to-last Test match for the world champions this year.
The Squad and Coaching Strategy
The Springboks have named a heavily rotated, yet talent-packed, squad for the fixture, leading to speculation that it is a “trial match” to test depth. Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick firmly dismissed this notion, emphasizing that every opportunity to represent the Springboks is a Test match.
“There’s no such thing as a trial match when it comes to the Springboks. We need to respect the players who are receiving an opportunity to play,” Stick said, highlighting the excitement for players like the returning flyhalf Handré Pollard and emerging star Canan Moodie, who will feature in the midfield.
The coaches’ respect for Italy is high, especially after the Azzurri secured a significant victory against Australia last weekend.2 Stick noted that Italy, led by captain Juan Ignacio Brex, is “improving week in and week out.”
Key Match Details
| Detail | Information |
| Match | South Africa (Springboks) vs Italy |
| Date | Saturday, November 15, 2025 |
| Venue | Allianz Stadium, Turin, Italy |
| Kick-off | 14:40 SA Time (12:40 GMT) |
| Referee | James Doleman (New Zealand) |
The Teams
The Springboks have opted for a powerful blend of experience and new talent, led by captain Siya Kolisi.3
| Position | South Africa | Italy |
| 15 | Damian Willemse | Ange Capuozzo |
| 14 | Edwill van der Merwe | Louis Lynagh |
| 13 | Canan Moodie | Juan Ignacio Brex (c) |
| 12 | Ethan Hooker | Tommaso Menoncello |
| 11 | Kurt-Lee Arendse | Monty Ioane |
| 10 | Handré Pollard | Paolo Garbisi |
| 9 | Morne van den Berg | Stephen Varney |
| 8 | Marco van Staden | Lorenzo Cannone |
| 7 | Ben-Jason Dixon | Manuel Zuliani |
| 6 | Siya Kolisi (c) | Ross Vintcent |
| 5 | Franco Mostert | Andrea Zambonin |
| 4 | Jean Kleyn | Niccolò Cannone |
| 3 | Zachary Porthen | Marco Riccioni |
| 2 | Johan Grobbelaar | Giacomo Nicotera |
| 1 | Boan Venter | Danilo Fischetti |
Need-to-Know Facts
- Milestone Watch: Lock RG Snyman needs just one more cap to reach the exclusive 50-Test cap mark for the Springboks.
- The Only Loss: Historically, South Africa has a 94% win rate against Italy (17 wins in 18 games). Italy’s only victory was a narrow 20-18 upset in Florence back in 2016.
- Backline Mix: The Springbok starting backline averages 28 caps per player, with the inclusion of Pollard and Willemse providing vital experience for newcomers like Ethan Hooker and Morne van den Berg
