Springboks vs Italy: What the Stats Say Ahead of Test Match

The Springboks will kick off their 2025 Test season with a highly anticipated clash against Italy this Saturday at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria. The match is scheduled to start at 17:10. Under the guidance of Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus, the Boks head into this encounter as clear favourites. They are buoyed by a dominant head-to-head record against the European side.

Here’s a detailed statistical breakdown of the history and milestones leading up to this Test.

Springboks vs Italy: A Lopsided Rivalry

Saturday’s encounter will mark the 17th meeting between the Springboks and Italy. South Africa has historically had the upper hand, winning 15 of those matches. The only blemish on the Boks’ near-perfect record came in 2016. Italy stunned the rugby world with a narrow 20–18 win in Florence.

Their first-ever meeting occurred on 12 November 1995 in Rome, shortly after the Springboks had lifted their maiden Rugby World Cup trophy. That match ended in a 40–21 victory for South Africa.

Over the course of their rivalry, the Boks have racked up 764 points and 102 tries. In contrast, Italy has scored 195 points and just 16 tries. The most emphatic result came in June 1999. The Springboks humiliated the Italians 101–0 in Durban, still the biggest winning margin in the fixture’s history.

Italy’s Only Triumph

Italy’s sole win against South Africa came on 19 November 2016. That day in Florence, the Italians managed to outmuscle the Springboks in a shock 20–18 victory. Bryan Habana and Damian de Allende scored the tries for South Africa. Pat Lambie and Elton Jantjies added points with the boot. The Boks, then coached by Allister Coetzee, featured key players like Willie le Roux, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Adriaan Strauss, who captained the team.

Fortress South Africa

Of the 16 meetings, seven have been held in our country. This weekend’s Test will be the first-ever between the two nations at Loftus Versfeld. The venue boasts a formidable 78% win rate for the Springboks, having won 32 of their 41 previous matches at the Pretoria stadium.

Home ground advantage has served the Boks well in the past against Italy. Some of the notable scorelines include:

1999 (Durban) – SA 101–0 Italy
1999 (Port Elizabeth) – SA 74–3 Italy
2001 (Port Elizabeth) – SA 60–14 Italy
2008 (Cape Town) – SA 26–0 Italy
2010 (Witbank) – SA 29–13 Italy
2010 (East London) – SA 55–11 Italy
2013 (Durban) – SA 44–10 Italy

Noteworthy Team Milestones

Rassie Erasmus’ starting XV for Saturday’s clash will feature a total of 732 Test caps, with an additional 466 caps sitting on the bench. This is a clear sign of the experience within the squad.

One of the key milestones will be the debut of Vincent Tshituka, the powerful loose forward from the Sharks. He will earn his first cap in the No. 7 jersey. Meanwhile, Damian Willemse returns to international rugby after missing the 2024 season due to injury. He’ll start at fullback. Veteran Willie le Roux provides cover off the bench. He could potentially make his 99th Test appearance if he comes on.

Jesse Kriel will lead the team as South Africa’s 67th Test captain, a significant milestone for the centre. Meanwhile, Eben Etzebeth continues to extend his national record. Saturday will mark his 132nd appearance in the green and gold.

Loftus Lights Up for a Classic

The historical dominance of the Springboks, the return of key players, and the debut of new talent all set the stage for a compelling clash in Pretoria. Although Italy will be eager to replicate their 2016 upset, the numbers and the venue strongly favor the home side. As the crowd gears up for a high-octane evening under the Highveld sky, all eyes will be on the Boks to deliver a statement performance in their season opener.