Ruthless Rassie: Springboks Unleash Big Guns Against Italy in Nations Championship
by Devesh Jaganath | by Devesh Jaganath
Rassie Refuses to Play the Rotation Game in Turin
Rugby fans are in for a treat this weekend, with the Nations Championship set to resume in Europe, and South Africa will be out to maintain their perfect record in the competition when they take on Italy at Allianz Stadium in Turin on Saturday afternoon.
While many expected a heavily rotated squad, Rassie Erasmus has sent a clear message to the rugby world!
The headline team news centres on the return of the Springboks' anchors. Siya Kolisi is back on the flank, bringing his leadership to a powerful back row that features the tireless Pieter-Steph du Toit and the explosive Jasper Wiese. Get all the team news in our Italy vs South Africa prediction.
The return of Du Toit adds an elite lineout option and reinforces the Boks’ suffocating defence, while Kolisi’s presence directly counters Italy’s ability to slow down possession and improves ball recycling for Morne van den Berg at the breakdown.
The Springboks management is treating this European leg with incredible seriousness, knowing that the race for the inaugural Nations Championship title could explicitly come down to decimal points. With the All Blacks breathing down their necks, the Boks cannot afford a slow start in Turin.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Africa | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 130 | 49 | 81 | 20 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 15 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 121 | 70 | 51 | 18 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 15 |
| 3 | Australia | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 114 | 85 | 29 | 18 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 8 |
| 4 | Argentina | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 97 | 99 | −2 | 13 | 15 | 2 | 1 | 7 |
| 5 | Japan | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 62 | 88 | −26 | 7 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| 6 | Fiji | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 49 | 145 | −96 | 7 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Stepping into the No. 4 jersey to replace the injured Eben Etzebeth is the uncompromising former Stormers enforcer Salmaan Moerat, who is making his first Test appearance of the season after a frustrating spell on the sidelines with severe neck and toe injuries.
Anchoring the front row is the reigning World Rugby Player of the Year, Malcolm Marx. Operating alongside Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit, the 32-year-old double World Cup winner is still as hungry as ever as he edges closer to a century of Test caps.
Outside them, the defensive wall will be marshalled by Jesse Kriel, who is set to line up alongside Damian de Allende to extend their legendary midfield partnership to a record-breaking 49th Test match together for the Green and Gold.
Italy Face Injury Crisis Ahead of Nations Championship Resumption
For Italian head coach Gonzalo Quesada, the timing of this Springbok onslaught could not be worse.
Already navigating a gruelling tournament schedule, the Azzurri camp has been plagued by a late-week defensive injury crisis that has stripped them of up to 15 frontline players, including their influential captain Michele Lamaro.
Giacomo Nicotera will lead a brave but highly experimental Italian side out in front of a passionate home crowd at Allianz Stadium. Without their first-choice locks to contest the set-piece, Italy faces a mountain of pressure trying to contain the Springboks’ world-famous rolling maul.
History heavily favours the visitors, but the Springboks are well aware of the historical pitfalls of complacency - most notably their shock 2016 defeat to the Azzurri. However, the 2026 iteration of the Boks is an entirely different beast.
