The Springboks are preparing for another important challenge as they travel to Italy for their fourth-round encounter in the 2026 Nations Championship on Saturday, 7 November.
South Africa will be looking to maintain their impressive form and strengthen their position at the top of the Southern Hemisphere standings when they take on Italy at Juventus Stadium in Turin.
With several key players unavailable because of injuries, head coach Rassie Erasmus has had to make important selection decisions ahead of the encounter.
However, the world champions still have plenty of quality in their starting XV and will enter the match as favourites.
Here is everything you need to know about the Italy vs Springboks clash, including kick-off time, team news, injuries, broadcast details and our match prediction.
Italy vs Springboks: Match Details
Nations Championship – Round 4
7 November 2026
Italy
South Africa
Kick-off: 13:40 South African time
Venue: Juventus Stadium, Turin, Italy
Competition: 2026 Nations Championship
Broadcast: SuperSport
Springboks Leading the Southern Hemisphere Standings
South Africa head into the encounter with plenty of confidence after winning their opening three matches in the Nations Championship.
The Springboks currently lead the Southern Hemisphere standings, although they are level on points with New Zealand.
Their strong start has placed them in a promising position as they look to maintain their momentum during the European leg of the competition.
Italy, meanwhile, are experiencing a difficult campaign.
The Azzurri are at the bottom of the Northern Hemisphere standings after suffering three consecutive defeats. Their points difference of -94 highlights the defensive problems they have experienced.
Following the Italy encounter, South Africa will face two more major European challenges:
- France – 13 November 2026.
- Ireland – 21 November 2026.
The Nations Championship will conclude with its finals weekend in London from 27 to 29 November.
Springboks Team News: Major Injury Concerns for Rassie Erasmus
The Springboks will travel to Italy without several important players as injuries continue to affect squad selection.
One of the biggest absentees is Cheslin Kolbe, who remains sidelined after suffering a broken jaw while tackling New Zealand’s Luke Jacobson in September.
Experienced lock Eben Etzebeth is also unavailable after picking up a lower-limb injury while playing for the Sharks against the Stormers in October.
Andre Esterhuizen suffered a foot injury during the Sharks’ United Rugby Championship encounter in Cardiff.
Fly-half Handre Pollard is another notable absentee after sustaining a hamstring injury during the Bulls’ match against Ulster in late October.
Despite these setbacks, Erasmus has retained a strong and experienced squad.
New Faces Get an Opportunity
The Springboks coach is also using the Nations Championship to introduce fresh talent and expand his options ahead of future international assignments.
Sebastian de Klerk, Luan Giliomee, Markus Muller, Riley Norton and Emmanuel Tshituka have been included in the wider squad.
Yaqeen Ahmed was also initially selected, although a shoulder injury could affect his availability.
The new additions will be hoping to impress and establish themselves within South Africa’s competitive international setup.
Confirmed Springboks Starting XV Against Italy
Rassie Erasmus has named a powerful starting lineup for the encounter, combining experienced campaigners with exciting attacking talent.
South Africa starting XV
Confirmed in supplied report
Forwards
| No. | Player |
|---|---|
| 1 | Ox Nche |
| 2 | Malcolm Marx |
| 3 | Thomas du Toit |
| 4 | Salmaan Moerat |
| 5 | Ruan Nortje |
| 6 | Siya Kolisi (C) |
| 7 | Pieter-Steph du Toit |
| 8 | Jasper Wiese |
Backs
| No. | Player |
|---|---|
| 9 | Morne van den Berg |
| 10 | Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu |
| 11 | Ethan Hooker |
| 12 | Damian de Allende |
| 13 | Jesse Kriel |
| 14 | Kurt-Lee Arendse |
| 15 | Damian Willemse |
The starting XV features plenty of international experience, particularly in the forward pack.
Siya Kolisi will lead the team, while Malcolm Marx, Pieter-Steph du Toit and Jasper Wiese provide considerable physical presence.
In the backline, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu will be expected to control proceedings, with Damian de Allende and Jesse Kriel providing experience in midfield.
Kurt-Lee Arendse and Damian Willemse will also offer attacking threats.
Italy Cannot Be Underestimated
Despite their disappointing results in the competition, Italy remain a dangerous opponent.
The Springboks know from experience that the Italians are capable of producing surprising results against top international teams.
Italy famously defeated South Africa in Florence in 2016, during Allister Coetzee’s time as Springboks coach.
Their recent Nations Championship results, however, have been disappointing.
Italy’s results include:
- Italy 10-27 Japan.
- Italy 17-47 New Zealand.
- Italy 10-57 Australia.
These defeats will undoubtedly put pressure on the home side to deliver a better performance in front of their supporters.
Italy also enjoyed some positive results in the Six Nations, finishing fourth after victories against Scotland and England.
Italy Suffer Several Important Injury Setbacks
Italy have their own injury concerns ahead of the Springboks encounter.
According to the supplied report, captain Michele Lamaro, centres Tommaso Menoncello and Ignacio Brex, as well as loose forward Sebastian Negri, are unavailable.
Losing these influential players represents a significant setback for the hosts.
Nevertheless, Italy will be determined to make life difficult for the visitors and take advantage of any opportunities that come their way.
Italy vs Springboks: Match Prediction
On paper, South Africa have the stronger squad and considerably more depth heading into Saturday’s encounter.
Even with several important players missing, the Springboks possess an experienced forward pack capable of dominating the physical contest.
Their scrum, lineout strength and ability to apply pressure around the breakdown could create serious problems for Italy.
The hosts will need to defend aggressively, control possession and avoid giving South Africa opportunities to build momentum.
However, Italy’s recent heavy defeats against New Zealand and Australia raise concerns about their ability to contain the Springboks for the full 80 minutes.
Our prediction is a convincing South African victory.
Our prediction
Springboks by 30+
South Africa are backed to win comfortably, although Italy could still produce some dangerous attacking moments.
The Springboks will be determined to continue their winning run and send a strong message to their remaining Nations Championship opponents.
Who will be your player of the match when Italy take on the Springboks?
