Right – first up: let’s not pretend this is going to be a lullaby. Italy showed teeth last weekend (they beat Australia), and Rassie Erasmus has answered with a team that smells faintly of experiment, muscle and “don’t take us lightly” swagger. The starting XV named for Saturday in Turin mixes elders who know how to close the book with youngsters who’ll try to rip out pages and run with them. It’s pragmatic, dangerous and, crucially, set up to cope with a buoyant Azzurri side.
Okay – lineup in sauce: Damian Willemse at 15; Edwill and Kurt-Lee out wide; Canan Moodie and Ethan Hooker inside; Handré Pollard at 10 with Morné van den Berg pulling the strings at 9. The loose trio is Marco van Staden, Ben-Jason Dixon and Siya Kolisi (captain). Big men up front include Franco Mostert, Jean Kleyn and Zachary Porthen, with Johan Grobbelaar throwing the balls in. Bench has experienced finishers and impact forwards – a clear plan to flex once Italy shows their hand.
So what’s the game plan? Short version: control territory and tempo, make Italy earn yards, then punish mistakes with direct power and a bit of counter-attack spice. Long version: use Pollard’s game management to steer the match, Willemse as the safety valve and counterpunch; let the centres (Hooker and Moodie) do the heavy punch-and-go work; lean on Kolisi’s leadership to set the tone physically; and keep a bench ready to close the door if Italy gets cute. The selection screams “manage the emotional lift Italy have from that Australia result, don’t let them play at their party tempo.”
Now the players – in context, blunt and affectionate.
Damian Willemse (15) – The Swiss-army back. He’s the last line of defence and the first man in counter-attack choreography. Against an Italian side primed with confidence you need someone who can read a broken play and turn it into a 40-metre sprint or a calming kick. That’s Willemse: creative under pressure and safe when safety matters. Springboks have leaned on his versatility all year and he’s the correct man to patrol the backfield here.
Edwill van der Merwe (14) & Kurt-Lee Arendse (11) – Two wings, slightly different flavours. Edwill is the clean finisher: lightning pace, tidy under the high ball and one of those blokes who makes the touchline look like a runway. Arendse is the ball-carrying missile – low centre of gravity, impossible to bring down in space. If Italy try to play wide, these two will test them. Simple: stop their first-phase attack, and Italy’s swagger goes soft.
Canan Moodie (13) & Ethan Hooker (12) – Physicality and fizz. Moodie brings dynamic lines off the shoulder, offloads and that modern centre unpredictability. Hooker is the apron-front battering ram – big contact, direct running, and excellent at forcing quick ruck ball or breaking tackles to create second-phase momentum. Together they present a headache: you can neither outmuscle nor outpace them easily – you need a plan for both. Those two allow Pollard to play conservatively or explode through channels when space opens.
Handré Pollard (10) – Calm in the eye of stormy Turin. Pollard’s kicking game and experience remain a strategic anchor: territory control, pressure via long range, and scoreboard discipline. If Italy get silly and start trading scores, Pollard will push the kick metres and make them play from deep. Against a pumped opponent that’s gold.
Morné van den Berg (9) – The tempo merchant. Quick ball, tidy box kicks and the kind of service flyhalves dream about. If there’s a weakness in this Italy team it’s how they handle fast, snappy ruck speed; Van den Berg will ruthlessly exploit that by giving Pollard usable, predictable platforms.
Marco van Staden / Ben-Jason Dixon / Siya Kolisi (8/7/6) – This trio is the soul of the selection. Van Staden gives grunt and raw scoreboard-oriented ball; Dixon brings pace at the breakdown and carries that unsettle defences; Kolisi is Kolisi – leadership, tackle footprint, boundary-pushing work ethic and the ability to pull a team together when things get messy. This combination says: we’ll match you physically, but we’ll also outwork you when the clock ticks. Signing Kolisi to lead a fresh look line-up signals they’re not experimenting with temperament.
Franco Mostert & Jean Kleyn (5/4) – Two men who love a set-piece and maul. Mostert’s engine in open play, plus Kleyn’s lineout nous, mean Italy will have to respect South Africa’s driving game and aerial dominance. Expect a clean focus on set piece supremacy – mauls, pick-and-go and pressure from 5-8 to sap Italy’s confidence.
Zachary Porthen / Johan Grobbelaar / Boan Venter (3/2/1) – Porthen is a young face with scrummaging promise; Grobbelaar throws accurate hooks and the front row has the mobility to keep the middle ground tight. This is a bit of a developmental push – give youngsters exposure but surround them with seasoned heads so the platform is steady. Porthen’s inclusion as a new face underlines the coaching staff’s intent to blood talent while remaining pragmatic.
Bench & finishers – Gerhard Steenekamp, Wilco Louw, RG Snyman, Ruan Nortje, Andre Esterhuizen, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok: that’s insurance and pace. They can turn the game physical at the death, re-open it with quick carries or tidy up the kicking and finishing. Smart bench = the ability to change the match style mid-game.
Tactical summary – what to watch
- Territory vs tempo: Pollard and Willemse will be key in making Italy play where SA want. Don’t give them a running pitch and you make that Australia scalp feel flukey.
- Ruck speed and physical collisions: If Van den Berg gives quick ball and the 6-8 trio hit hard, Italy’s set-plays will be neutered.
- Substitution windows: expect a 60-minute plan – bench forwards to tighten, backs to streak into spaces if Italy tire.
- Discipline: let Italy get into kicking contests and the crowd into it; playboy rugby favours the underdog. The Boks must be tidy.
Final verdict – and yes, I’ll be cheeky: South Africa have engineered a selection that balances result-first savvy with opportunities to test depth. Against a buoyant, crowd-energised Italy this isn’t arrogant – it’s sensible. The Boks have the tools to shut down momentum (set piece + kick/territory game), and the attacking bits to exploit gaps when Italy commit too many men to the party. If they play their homework, they win. If they underestimate the Azzurri’s belief? Expect fireworks and a headline or two about how “Italy shocked the Boks (almost)”. Either way: bring popcorn.
