As the Springboks gear up for their first Test of the 2025 international season, expectations are soaring among local rugby fans. Many are predicting a straightforward win for the national side when they host Italy at Loftus Versfeld this Saturday at 5 pm. With the Springboks having won 15 of their 16 previous matches against the Italians, confidence is understandably high. Most notably, they suffered just one upset loss in Florence back in 2016.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adding to this belief is the matchday squad<\/a> named by head coach Rassie Erasmus. The line-up is stacked with power, experience, and the kind of physical dominance that defines South African rugby. However, veteran hooker Bongi Mbonambi has sounded a note of caution. He urges supporters and teammates alike to expect a serious challenge in the forwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite South Africa\u2019s superior record, Mbonambi believes this Italian side has the structure and belief to create problems. This is especially true in the set pieces. Speaking from the team\u2019s camp in Johannesburg, the 34-year-old front-rower acknowledged the threat posed by Italy\u2019s pack. He pointed to their impressive statistics from this year\u2019s Six Nations tournament<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey\u2019ve come a long way as a team,\u201d Mbonambi said. \u201cDuring the Six Nations, they were incredibly efficient in the scrums and line-outs. They\u2019re not afraid of the physical side of the game.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Italy\u2019s scrum success rate during the competition stood at 93%, losing just two scrums across all matches. At the line-out, they recorded a 90% win rate, a clear indication that the Azzurri\u2019s forwards are not just there to make up the numbers. They also held onto possession in 96% of their rucks. This underlines their tactical discipline and technical sharpness at the breakdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSpringboks vs Italy: Not Just a Walk in the Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n