The Nations Championship returns this weekend with another exciting round of international rugby, as 12 of the world’s leading teams prepare to battle for valuable points in the inaugural competition.
After an entertaining opening phase in July, the tournament resumes with the Northern and Southern Hemisphere nations renewing their rivalry in a series of highly anticipated Test matches.
For South African rugby supporters, the biggest attraction will be the Springboks’ clash against Italy in Turin on Saturday, 7 November.
Rassie Erasmus’ side will be looking to make a strong start to the second phase of the competition as they continue their campaign against some of Europe’s leading rugby nations.
With several heavyweight encounters scheduled, Saturday promises a full day of international rugby action.
Springboks Name Strong Team for Italy Test
The Springboks will face Italy at 13:40 South African time, with Siya Kolisi captaining a powerful starting XV.
Damian Willemse will start at fullback, with Kurt-Lee Arendse and Ethan Hooker occupying the wings.
The midfield combination features Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu takes responsibility at flyhalf alongside scrumhalf Morné van den Berg.
Up front, Jasper Wiese will feature at number eight, with Pieter-Steph du Toit and captain Kolisi completing the loose trio.
Malcolm Marx starts at hooker, supported by Ox Nché and Thomas du Toit in the front row.
Springboks starting XV:
15 Damian Willemse, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Ethan Hooker, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Siya Kolisi (c), 5 Ruan Nortjé, 4 Salmaan Moerat, 3 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nché.
Replacements: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Wilco Louw, Lood de Jager, Cameron Hanekom, Paul de Villiers, Grant Williams and Manie Libbok.
Italy will also be determined to make home advantage count, with experienced flyhalf Paolo Garbisi and exciting winger Ange Capuozzo among their key players.
Italy starting XV:
15 Mirko Belloni, 14 Ange Capuozzo, 13 Paolo Odogwu, 12 Leonardo Marin, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Alessandro Fusco, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Samuele Locatelli, 6 Alessandro Ortombina, 5 Federico Ruzza, 4 Niccolò Cannone, 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Giacomo Nicotera (c), 1 Muhamed Hasa.
Replacements: Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Danilo Fischetti, Ion Neculai, Enoch Opoku Gyamfi, Ross Vintcent, Manuel Zuliani, Stephen Varney and Tommaso Allan.
Nations Championship: All Round Four Fixtures and Kick-Off Times
The weekend features several blockbuster encounters involving rugby’s biggest international teams.
All kick-off times below are in South African Standard Time (SAST).
Friday, 6 November
22:10 Ireland vs Argentina
Ireland and Argentina open the weekend’s action with a highly anticipated encounter.
Both teams have named competitive line-ups, with Ireland captained by Dan Sheehan and Argentina led by Julián Montoya.
Saturday, 7 November
13:40 Italy vs South Africa
The Springboks begin their weekend campaign against Italy in Turin. Siya Kolisi leads the South Africans, with several established stars included in the starting XV.
16:10 Scotland vs New Zealand
The All Blacks face Scotland in another major contest.
Finn Russell captains Scotland’s attacking challenge, while New Zealand have named a dangerous backline featuring Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Jordie Barrett and Damian McKenzie.
18:40 Wales vs Japan
Wales welcome Japan in a match that promises plenty of attacking rugby.
Dewi Lake captains Wales, with Louis Rees-Zammit among the notable selections. Japan will be led by captain Warner Dearns.
22:10 France vs Fiji
France and Fiji close out Saturday’s action in what could be one of the most entertaining matches of the weekend.
Antoine Dupont captains France, while Fiji will look to their attacking threats, including Jiuta Wainiqolo and Salesi Rayasi.
Sunday, 8 November
17:10 England vs Australia
England will take on Australia in the final fixture of the weekend.
The starting line-ups for both teams were still listed as TBC in the published team announcements.
Nations Championship Round Four: Weekend Schedule
| Date | Match | Kick-off (SAST) |
|---|---|---|
| Friday, 6 November | Ireland vs Argentina | 22:10 |
| Saturday, 7 November | Italy vs South Africa | 13:40 |
| Saturday, 7 November | Scotland vs New Zealand | 16:10 |
| Saturday, 7 November | Wales vs Japan | 18:40 |
| Saturday, 7 November | France vs Fiji | 22:10 |
| Sunday, 8 November | England vs Australia | 17:10 |
All Eyes on the Springboks
South African supporters will be particularly interested in how the Springboks perform against Italy as the competition resumes.
With experienced campaigners and exciting young talent featuring in the matchday squad, Erasmus has several options available as his team targets another positive international result.
The other fixtures will also provide an opportunity to assess the strength of the leading rugby nations as the Nations Championship develops.
Which match are you looking forward to most this weekend? Can the Springboks overcome Italy and make a winning start to the next phase of the competition?
