Italy have announced their matchday squad for Saturday’s Nations Championship showdown against the Springboks, with experienced winger Monty Ioane set to celebrate a major career milestone.
The Australian-born wing will earn his 50th cap for the Azzurri after being named in head coach Gonzalo Quesada’s starting XV for the clash at Allianz Stadium in Turin.
Ioane will form part of an exciting back three alongside Ange Capuozzo and fullback Mirko Belloni as Italy prepare for a demanding encounter against the reigning world champions.
Nicotera to captain Italy after impressive hat-trick
Hooker Giacomo Nicotera has been handed the captaincy for only the second time in his international career.
The Stade Français forward heads into the match in excellent form after scoring a hat-trick of tries in his club’s 43-24 victory over La Rochelle in the French Top 14 last weekend.
Nicotera will start in the front row alongside tighthead prop Simone Ferrari and loosehead prop Muhamed Hasa.
Ferrari and replacement back Tommaso Allan are the only two members of Italy’s matchday 23 who featured in the team’s historic 20-18 victory over South Africa in Florence in 2016.
That remains Italy’s only win against the Springboks in 20 meetings.
Italy dealing with several key absences
Quesada will have to manage a lengthy injury and availability list, with 16 players missing from his selection.
Among those unavailable are regular captain Michele Lamaro, as well as influential forwards Sebastian Negri and Andrea Zambonin.
Samuele Locatelli will make his international debut at openside flanker, replacing Lamaro, while Alessandro Ortombina earns a start at blindside flanker.
Experienced locks Federico Ruzza and Niccolò Cannone will provide strength in the second row, with Lorenzo Cannone selected at No 8.
Italy will also be without centres Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex, opening the door for Paolo Odogwu to partner Leonardo Marin in midfield.
Springboks arrive with a strong starting XV
South Africa have also named a formidable side for the encounter, with Siya Kolisi leading the team.
The starting lineup features Damian Willemse at fullback, Kurt-Lee Arendse and Ethan Hooker on the wings, while Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende form the centre partnership.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will wear the No 10 jersey, partnering scrumhalf Morne van den Berg.
The forward pack includes Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kolisi, Ruan Nortje, Salmaan Moerat, Thomas du Toit, Malcolm Marx and Ox Nche.
Manie Libbok has been named among the replacements.
Springboks return to Turin
The match will take place at Allianz Stadium in Turin, the same venue where South Africa defeated Italy 32-14 last year.
The Springboks produced that victory despite spending most of the match with 14 players following Franco Mostert’s early red card.
Italy will be hoping to make home advantage count this time, while South Africa will be determined to maintain their winning record against the Azzurri in recent encounters.
Saturday’s fixture kicks off at 13:40 South African time.
Italy vs Springboks: Match details
- Competition: Nations Championship
- Date: Saturday, 7 November 2026
- Kick-off: 13:40 (SA time)
- Venue: Allianz Stadium, Turin
- Referee: Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
- Assistant referees: James Doleman (New Zealand) and Sam Grove-White (Scotland)
- TMO: Brett Cronan (Australia)
Confirmed Italy team to face the Springboks
Starting XV
- Mirko Belloni
- Ange Capuozzo
- Paolo Odogwu
- Leonardo Marin
- Monty Ioane
- Paolo Garbisi
- Alessandro Fusco
- Lorenzo Cannone
- Samuele Locatelli
- Alessandro Ortombina
- Federico Ruzza
- Niccolò Cannone
- Simone Ferrari
- Giacomo Nicotera (captain)
- Muhamed Hasa
Replacements: Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Danilo Fischetti, Ion Neculai, Enoch Opoku Gyamfi, Ross Vintcent, Manuel Zuliani, Stephen Varney and Tommaso Allan.
Confirmed Springboks team to face Italy
Starting XV
- Damian Willemse
- Kurt-Lee Arendse
- Jesse Kriel
- Damian de Allende
- Ethan Hooker
- Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
- Morne van den Berg
- Jasper Wiese
- Pieter-Steph du Toit
- Siya Kolisi (captain)
- Ruan Nortje
- Salmaan Moerat
- Thomas du Toit
- Malcolm Marx
- Ox Nche
Replacements: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Wilco Louw, Lood de Jager, Cameron Hanekom, Paul de Villiers, Grant Williams and Manie Libbok.
