[[ＬＩＶＥＳＴＲＥＡＭ＃]ＴＶ] South Africa vs Italy Ｌｉｖｅ Ｓｔｒｅａｍ Ｆｒｅｅ Ｂｒｏａｄcast ＯＮ Ｔｖ Ｃｈａｎｎｅｌ 05 Ｊｕｌｙ， ２０２５ (IDFGH-15761) #16388

South Africa play their first fully-fledged international of 2025 as they take on Italy in Pretoria.

The Springboks shook off some of the rust with a non-capped thrashing of the Barbarians last week, but the intensity ratchets up as Italy bid to build on a win over Namibia that began their tour.

Both teams thrashed their opponents a week ago, with Italy defeating SA's neighbor Namibia 73-6. Jacopo Trulla had three tries.

Rassie Erasmus stocked up on veterans for the first bout, including Ox Nche, Eben Etzebeth, Handre Pollard and Jesse Kriel all starting. Erasmus also has Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Franco Mostert, Faf de Klerk and Willie Le Roux on the bench.

Rassie Erasmus takes few chances with his selection in a nod to Italy’s recent rise, with the South Africa boss expecting a stern test and recalling a couple of World Cup winners to his side.

Jesse Kriel captains the Springboks in the absence of Siya Kolisi having also led the side in the non-capped clash with the Barbarians last week. Vincent Tshituka earns an international debut in the back row with Marco van Staden filling in for the skipper on the openside, while Handre Pollard and Damian Willemse take over as the chief playmakers at 10 and 15 respectively.

It is, as is custom, a frighteningly good bench, with Willie le Roux in line for a 99th cap as one of two backs replacements - Faf de Klerk is the other as “Bomb Squad” regulars like Vincent Koch, RG Snyman and Kwagga Smith await deployment.

There’s a fresh feel to parts of the Italy side, who are without Michele Lamaro, Juan Ignacio Brex, and Sebastian Negri, among others. Lock Niccolo Cannone captains a side that also contains brother Lorenzo, while Tommaso Di Bartolomeo starts at hooker with Giacmo Nicotera (who had been due to skipper) out with a rib injury.

Gonzalo Quesada matches the Springboks with a six/two bench, with three forward debutants among his sextet of replacements: hooker Pablo Dimcheff, lock Matteo Canali and flanker David Odiase should all earn their first international caps at some stage.

South Africa Springboks 2025 Fixtures

June 28

11 a.m. ET: South Africa vs. Barbarians

July 5

11:10 a.m. ET: South Africa vs. Italy

July 12

11:10 a.m. ET: South Africa vs. Italy

July 19

11:10 a.m. ET: South Africa vs. Georgia

Aug. 16

11:10 a.m. ET: South Africa vs. Australia

Aug. 23

11:10 a.m. ET: South Africa vs. Australia

Sept. 6

3:05 a.m. ET: New Zealand All Blacks vs. South Africa

Sept. 13

3:05 a.m. ET: New Zealand All Blacks vs. South Africa

Sept. 27

11:10 a.m. ET: South Africa vs. Argentina

Oct. 4

9:00 a.m. ET: Argentina vs. South Africa

Nov. 8

3:10 p.m. ET: France vs. South Africa

Nov. 15

7:40 a.m. ET: Italy vs. South Africa

Nov. 22

12:40 p.m. ET: Ireland vs. South Africa

Nov. 29

10:10 a.m. ET: Wales vs. South Africa

Italy Rugby Fixtures 2025

July 5

11:10 a.m. ET: South Africa vs. Italy

July 12

11:10 a.m. ET: South Africa vs. Italy

Nov. 8

12:40 p.m. ET: Italy vs. Australia

Nov. 15

7:40 a.m. ET: Italy vs. South Africa

Nov. 22

3:10 p.m. ET: Italy vs. Samoa