South Africa’s second Test against Italy will kick off at 4.10pm today (Saturday 12 July) at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
The Springboks won the first test 42-24 but it was not the blowout performance many were expecting. The Italian’s rallied after going in at half time 28-3 down to score three tries in a bold attacking display in the second half. They will be hoping the momentum will help them cause an upset in the second test.
Where to Watch South Africa v Italy
The match will be shown on Flosports in the US. The streaming service will be showing the game at 11am ET for the US audience. You can sign up to watch the live stream here. UK fans can watch the game on Sky Sports Action or via a live stream on Sky Go.
In South Africa, the match will be shown on Supersport as well as SABC Sport.
Rassie Erasmus has rung the changes for the second test with just four players retaining their place for today’s game. Willie Le Roux will join an exclusive club of just eight players when he makes his 100th test appearance for the Springboks. At the other end of the experience scale Edwill van der Merwe gets his second start in the back three.
There will be three debuts in the team including Asenathi Ntlabakanye, utility forward Cobus Wiese and back Ethan Hooker.
Italy will welcome back Sebastian Negri and the powerful back-rower’s return will be welcomed by the youthful Italian side. Manuel Zuliani, who was superb last time out, will be a key man for Italy.
The teams
South Africa:15 Willie le Roux, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Salmaan Moerat (c), 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Thomas du Toit
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: 15 Mirko Belloni, 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Tommaso Menoncello, 12 Marco Zanon, 11 Jacopo Trulla, 10 Giacomo Da Re, 9 Alessandro Garbisi, 8 Ross Vintcent, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 Niccolò Cannone (c), 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 1 Danilo Fischetti
Replacements: 16 Pablo Dimcheff, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Muhamed Hasa, 19 Matteo Canali, 20 Alessandro Izekor, 21 David Odiase, 22 Stephen Varney, 23 Giulio Bertaccini
Date: Saturday, July 12
Kick-off: 17:10 (local), 16:10 (UK)
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (RFU), Hollie Davidson (SRU)
TMO: Tual Training (FFR)
FPRO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)