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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Kristin Kone elated after Italy's thrilling win over Wales
Kristin Kone was left feeling elated after Italy edged out Wales 28-24 to round off their 2025 Six Nations Women's Summer Series with a thrilling win. Hooker Chiara Cheli produced a stand-out performance – bagging herself a second-half hattrick which included the match-winning try - during an absorbing encounter in which Italy took the lead four times in Caerphilly. It was a game that neither team deserved to lose, but ultimately Italy made sure they were on the right side of the result despite Wales scoring four tries of their own. It caps a pleasing turnaround for Italy who lost to France 46-5 in their opening game before falling 36-20 to England on matchday 2 having led that match 15-0 at half time. And full-back Kone was full of praise for her team's resolve during their final battle with the competition's hosts. She said: 'We are feeling pretty awesome right now. It was a tough game, but we kept on going and we believed in our team until the last minute. We're pretty proud of what we've done during this whole experience.' Italy's physical prowess has been their strength throughout the Women's Summer Series and Cheli was able to score all of her tries from close range off the back of good work by her fellow forwards. But Kone admitted Wales didn't make things easy for her side. 'It was a very tough game as Wales played pretty well, but we're very excited and happy with the result,' she continued. 'Absolutely [it was a physical game]. The Wales players are really tough, pretty big, but our defence was pretty thick, and we kept on going. I'm very proud of my teammates.' This has been the second incarnation of the Women's Summer Series, a tournament designed to give U20s players the opportunity to play more competitive rugby to help with their development, something which Kone thinks has helped her side over the past two weeks. She added: 'Absolutely [this gives us confidence going forward]. From this match we've grown a lot. We started [the tournament] against France and then the English, we've come a long way, and we've enjoyed it.'
The Independent
12-07-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Is South Africa v Italy on TV? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Springboks
South Africa will be seeking an improved performance amid significant rotation as they take on Italy in the second Test in Gqeberha. The Springboks were pushed hard by their visitors in their opening encounter last weekend, with the Azzurri finishing strongly to deny the hosts their typical second-half surge. Home coach Rassie Erasmus shuffles his side as he continues to build depth, while Gonzalo Quesada also freshens up his Italy line-up as his side seek a statement result. Can they cause a shock by beating the world champions in their own backyard? Here's everything you need to know. When is South Africa vs Italy? South Africa vs Italy is due to kick off at 4.10pm BST on Saturday 12 July at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha. How can I watch it? Viewers in the United Kingdom can watch the match live on Sky Sports Action, with coverage from 3.50pm BST. A live stream will be available via Sky Go and NOW. Team news Willie le Roux becomes the eighth centurion for the Springboks as the full-back wins cap number 100 for South Africa in a side containing plenty of experience. There is still no Siya Kolisi, though, with Salmaan Moerat skippering from the second row. Andre Esterhuizen and Canan Moodie form a new-look centre partnership outside of Manie Libbok, stationed at fly half. Debuts, meanwhile, await giant tighthead Asenathi Ntlabakanye, sizeable lock Cobus Wiese and comparatively compact centre Ethan Hooker off the bench. There are five changes for Italy as Niccolo Cannone captains again following an impressive showing in Pretoria last Saturday. Full-back Mirko Belloni contrasts with his opposite number Le Roux in making his first international start on what is just his second cap, with Louis Lynagh and Jacopo Trulla comprising the rest of the back three. Sebastian Negri is a welcome returnee on the flank in a balanced back row with Manuel Zuliani and Ross Vintcent, while there are six forwards on the bench ready to provide impact again. Line-ups South Africa XV: 1 Thomas du Toit, 2 Malcolm Marx, 3 Wilco Louw; 4 Salmaan Moerat (capt.), 5 Ruan Nortje; 6 Marco van Staden, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Jasper Wiese; 9 Grant Williams, 10 Manie Libbok; 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 13 Canan Moodie, 14 Edwill van der Merwe; 15 Willie le Roux. Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Evan Roos; 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Ethan Hooker. Italy XV: 1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 3 Simone Ferrari; 4 Niccolo Cannone (capt.), 5 Andrea Zambonin; 6 Sebastian Negri, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 8 Ross Vintcent; 9 Alessandro Garbisi, 10 Giacomo Da Re; 11 Jacopo Trulla, 12 Marco Zanon, 13 Tommaso Menoncello, 14 Louis Lynagh; 15 Mirko Belloni.
The Herald
11-07-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Nelson Mandela Bay goes Bok berserk
News Excitement mounts as visitors and residents gear up for action-packed Test By Andisa Bonani - 11 July 2025 Nelson Mandela Bay is bracing for a bumper weekend as more than 24,000 rugby fans from out of town are expected to visit the city for the Springbok clash against Italy on Saturday, a match that promises high-stakes action and a major cash injection for the metro. With 95% of the city's 12,708 available beds already booked over two nights, the Test match is set to bring an economic boost of nearly R44.6m, driven by visitors spending an average of R1,850 daily on accommodation, food, transport, tickets and entertainment, according to the municipality...
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Springboks hold off Italy 42-24 at Loftus
PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — The blowout expected from world champion South Africa didn't eventuate as it scratched out a 42-24 win over Italy at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. The Springboks led 28-3 at halftime, dominating every facet. But even the 'bomb squad,' which entered to a roar of acclaim, could not press home the advantage into a scoreline their fans are used to against the Azzurri. Advertisement The depleted Italians stunned with a comeback that unleashed three converted tries with two more tries ruled out. They got within 11 points of South Africa until Marco van Staden crashed over with seven minutes to go. Even that didn't temper Italy's fire, with the visitor attacking in South Africa's 22 at fulltime. The Springboks averaged 49 points in their last three matches against Italy and set themselves up for another rout. They largely retained the strong side which whipped the Barbarians 54-7 last weekend. The Boks bench, alone, had more caps than Italy's entire matchday 23. Italy struggled to find 23 fit players. The warmup win over Namibia cost them two players, and a fifth player went home early during the past week when seven more frontline players were hurt in training. Advertisement Coach Gonzalo Quesada reluctantly picked a 6-2 forwards-heavy bench to combat the Springboks bomb squad, gave international debuts to four players including both hookers, and named scrumhalf Alessandro Fusco as the flyhalf backup if Giacomo Da Re was injured. ___ AP rugby: The Associated Press
Associated Press
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Springboks hold off Italy 42-24 at Loftus
PRETORIA, South Africa (AP) — The blowout expected from world champion South Africa didn't eventuate as it scratched out a 42-24 win over Italy at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. The Springboks led 28-3 at halftime, dominating every facet. But even the 'bomb squad,' which entered to a roar of acclaim, could not press home the advantage into a scoreline their fans are used to against the Azzurri. The depleted Italians stunned with a comeback that unleashed three converted tries with two more tries ruled out. They got within 11 points of South Africa until Marco van Staden crashed over with seven minutes to go. Even that didn't temper Italy's fire, with the visitor attacking in South Africa's 22 at fulltime. The Springboks averaged 49 points in their last three matches against Italy and set themselves up for another rout. They largely retained the strong side which whipped the Barbarians 54-7 last weekend. The Boks bench, alone, had more caps than Italy's entire matchday 23. Italy struggled to find 23 fit players. The warmup win over Namibia cost them two players, and a fifth player went home early during the past week when seven more frontline players were hurt in training. Coach Gonzalo Quesada reluctantly picked a 6-2 forwards-heavy bench to combat the Springboks bomb squad, gave international debuts to four players including both hookers, and named scrumhalf Alessandro Fusco as the flyhalf backup if Giacomo Da Re was injured. ___ AP rugby:
