South Africa vs Italy live: Latest score and updates as Springboks take on Azzurri in rare meeting
South Africa looked in an ominous mood as they thrashed the Barbarians in a non-capped outing last weekend, though the intensity will ratchet up in this fully-fledged Test. Games against Italy and Georgia perhaps represent a slightly lower stakes July than Rassie Erasmus and his side are used to but a team of winners are unlikely to let their level slip. Jesse Kriel leads the hosts in the absence of Siya Kolisi with plenty of other double World Cup winners for company in the matchday 23.
They will be expecting a tricky affair against an ever-improving Italy, even with the Azzurri missing a few key figures themselves. Gonzalo Quesada 's men beat Namibia in the first leg of their trip to southern Africa and will be looking to carry that momentum into the first of back-to-back meetings with the Springboks.
Springboks knock off rust with big Barbarians win
This is the first fully-fledged international outing for South Africa this year, but the Springboks got up and running in a sense with a ruthless dismantling of the Barbarians last week. A 54-7 win served as a useful hit-out for Rassie Erasmus's side, though they'll be expecting a rather more stern examination today.
Harry Latham-Coyle5 July 2025 14:05
South Africa vs Italy live
A very good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of this intriguing little encounter between South Africa and Italy. Meetings between the Springboks and the Azzurri are relatively rare, with the visitors facing up to the tough challenge of the world champions as they bid to continue their development under Gonzalo Quesada.
Kick off in Pretoria is at 4.10pm BST.
Harry Latham-Coyle4 July 2025 14:39
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