South Africa overcame a controversial first-half red card for a second week in a row as the Springboks beat Italy in Turin.
Seven days on from Lood de Jager’s sending off against France in Paris, fellow lock Franco Mostert was dismissed in the first half after he was deemed to have made an illegal tackle on Italy fly half Paolo Garbisi. But just as in that France clash, the world champions showed their strength, with Rassie Erasmus ringing the changes before the interval as his side powered home.
A try from Marco van Staden on the stroke of half time got them going before scrum half Morne van den Berg sniped over to extend their advantage 20 minutes from time. Though Ange Capuozzo answered swiftly for the hosts, they were made to pay for their missed opportunities as Grant Williams and Ethan Hooker romped in for South Africa a golden opportunity to beat the Springboks passed the Azzurri by.
Follow all of the action from the Quilter Nations Series with our live blog below:
Italy vs South Africa live
- South Africa beat Italy 32-14 in the Quilter Nations Series
- Franco Mostert controversially sent off early on but the Springboks still prove too strong
- TRY! Italy 14-32 SOUTH AFRICA (Ethan Hooker, 79 minutes)
- TRY! Italy 14-27 SOUTH AFRICA (Grant Williams, 73 minutes)
- TRY! ITALY 14-20 South Africa (Ange Capuozzo, 66 minutes)
- TRY! Italy 9-20 SOUTH AFRICA (Morne van den Berg, 61 minutes)
- TRY! Italy 3-10 SOUTH AFRICA (Marco van Staden, 41 minutes)
- RED CARD! Franco Mostert is sent off! Italy 0-0 South Africa, 12 minutes
Springboks celebrate another win with 14 men
15:35 , Luke BakerAre the Springboks simply unstoppable at the moment...? They’re celebrating yet another win despite having 14 men in Turin
Willemse reflects on Springbok win
15:13 , Luke BakerIt was Damian Willemse who was named player of the match in the end but he was quick to deflect the credit to his team-mates.
Here’s what he had to say about the win
“I’ll be taking credit for Player of the Match, but it was a full team effort” 🤝
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 15, 2025
Damian Willemse reflects on another standout South Africa display despite going down to 14 men 🗣️
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/h7RRHix7Pl
WATCH: Hooker puts the icing on the cake
14:58 , Luke BakerSo, an impressive win for the Springboks and Ethan Hooker finished it off in style with the final play.
A brilliant kick from Manie Libbok and the young winger took advantage
A brilliant step and Ethan Hooker secures his first international try after a gorgeous cross-kick from Manie Libbok ⭐
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 15, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/VagpXEgUsQ
FULL-TIME! Italy 14-32 South Africa
14:37 , Luke BakerIt’s all over. South Africa were down to 14 men in the 12th minute after Franco Mostert’s red card but it couldn’t have mattered less.
They do the business to see off Italy in style
TRY! Italy 14-32 SOUTH AFRICA (Ethan Hooker, 79 minutes)
14:36 , Luke BakerAnd that’s the cherry on top! The scrum is solid and after a few phases, Libbok decides to go wide with a cross-field chip.
It’s perfectly placed for Ethan Hooker, the young wing/centre to catch, he spins back inside the covering defender and dots down in the corner for a first international try. Superb.
Libbok then lets the clock run down, doesn’t take the conversion but that will be full time.
Italy 14-27 South Africa, 78 minutes
14:33 , Luke BakerCan South Africa end in style? They bash away after the five-metre scrum and then win a penalty, so they’ll have another go
Italy 14-27 South Africa, 77 minutes
14:32 , Luke BakerItaly expending so much energy in their own half and things are getting frantic now.
Menoncello caught in two minds, whether to pass to take the hit, the ball pops loose and Moodie chips ahead. Garbisi jumps on it but he’s absolutely obliterated by Kwagga Smith who hits him like an exocet missile and drives him over his own line. HUGE!
Five-metre scrum to the Boks
Italy 14-27 South Africa, 75 minutes
14:30 , Luke BakerMore brilliance by Moodie as he darts one way, then the other before finally being stopped. Italy need two scores but are deep in their own half and the ball goes loose once more.
It’s slipping away from the Azzurri.
TRY! Italy 14-27 SOUTH AFRICA (Grant Williams, 73 minutes)
14:28 , Luke BakerThe Boks now make a mess of the lineout as they go long and Italy can seize on the loose ball. But South Africa soon have it back.
AND SCORE AN UNBELIEVABLE TRY! It is simply stunning by Canan Moodie as he gets the ball on the left flank and a stop-and-go gets him past Lynagh on the outside.
He shows his gas to pull away, cuts inside and finds the inside pass to the supporting Grant Williams who breezes through and dots down for the try. A dagger for Italy, with the conversion added.
Italy 14-20 South Africa, 70 minutes
14:26 , Luke BakerItaly try to build from a lineout in midfield but the Boks win a superb breakdown penalty as hooker Grobbelaar digs deep in the 70th minute to get over the ball and get the decision.
But Libbok misses touch as he scuffs off the instep from the penalty. Poor.
Italy 14-20 South Africa, 70 minutes
14:24 , Luke BakerThis is breathless stuff! We’re back to 15 vs 14, with Cannone back on by the way.
Around 10 minutes for Italy to try and find a famous score. Will they be left to regret Garbisi’s two missed penalty and his missed conversion. Eight points left out there...
Italy 14-20 South Africa, 68 minutes
14:21 , Luke BakerSouth Africa immediately on the attack and they look like they’re through but the pass to Willemse doesn’t go to hand and Italy survive.
Allan then thumps clear impressively
TRY! ITALY 14-20 South Africa (Ange Capuozzo, 66 minutes)
14:20 , Luke BakerAND ITALY ARE OVER! They looked to be going backwards but they go right and a quick pop inside to Ange Capuozzo sends the talisman scything through a gap.
It’s an incredible angle from the full back and he’s so quick that he’s over the try-line before the Boks can react. Superb!
But a mistake from Garbisi as he misses the conversion! So it’s a six-point gap rather than four.
Italy 9-20 South Africa, 65 minutes
14:17 , Luke BakerItaly desperately trying to breach the white wall. Brex dummies and crashes to within five metres.
Italy 9-20 South Africa, 63 minutes
14:17 , Luke BakerVan Staden back on after his sin-binning. So we’re 14 vs 14 for now. The Boks won the period they were down to 13 men by seven points to three...
Van Staden immediately gives away a penalty on the floor and Garbisi kicks down into the 22
TRY! Italy 9-20 SOUTH AFRICA (Morne van den Berg, 61 minutes)
14:15 , Luke BakerAnd they’re over the line! It’s efficient from the scrum as the pack start marching forward and scrum half Morne van den Berg picks up from the back.
He darts to the right, there are no guards for the Azzurri and by the time he’s hit a metre from the line, he can stretch out for the try.
Simple conversion and suddenly South Africa lead by 11 points. The hopes of a famous Azzurri win are fading.
Italy 9-13 South Africa, 60 minutes
14:12 , Luke BakerAnother penalty given away by Italy though, right in front.
But now a TMO review for a Wilco Louw clearout on Zuliani earlier in the move. Louw gets low, hits Zuliani and there is shoulder contact to the head but I’m not sure what the Boks prop can do? That’s just a rugby incident.
The referee agrees. No penalty. And South Africa are going for the scrum five metres out!
Italy 9-13 South Africa, 59 minutes
14:10 , Luke BakerSo, we’re at 14 vs 13 for the time being. Still a man advantage for Italy.
But the Springboks are on the front foot after winning a contestable kick. Esterhuizen with a barrelling carry and Moodie then takes them within a couple of metres of the line.
YELLOW CARD! ITALY 9-13 South Africa, 57 minutes
14:08 , Luke BakerIt’s from the kick-off. Lorenzo Cannone is very upright as he hits Smith. Does he attempt to wrap?
I think he does but there’s head to head contact and certainly not enough mitigation for just a penalty, so it’s a yellow card for Cannone and the bunker will review.
Could be a 20-minute red to be honest, especially if they deem the shoulder was tucked and there no wrap attempt. We shall see.
Italy 9-13 South Africa, 57 minutes
14:06 , Luke BakerAnother TMO review... Lorenzo Cannone may have gone high on Kwagga Smith
PENALTY! Italy 9-13 SOUTH AFRICA (Handre Pollard, 55 minutes)
14:06 , Luke BakerGood response by the Springboks. They go through the phases and immediately cancel out the latest Garbisi penalty as Handre Pollard makes no mistake from the tee
Italy 9-10 South Africa, 54 minutes
14:05 , Luke BakerMore injury woe for Italy as Ross Vintcent is helped off clutching his arm. That looks nasty
PENALTY! ITALY 9-10 South Africa (Paolo Garbisi, 53 minutes)
14:03 , Luke BakerItaly’s dominance leads to another three points. A simple penalty for Paolo Garbisi and the Azzurri are within one point, with a two-man advantage!
This could be huge...
YELLOW CARD! Italy 6-10 South Africa, 52 minutes
14:02 , Luke BakerThe Azzurri are probing with their kicks here. Another Garbisi poke tests Willemse, who passes with flying colours as he grabs the loose ball and bops clear to the 22 again.
Italy rumble forward from the lineout and Fischetti barrels to around seven metres out. Another great opportunity...
They settle for the penalty and it’s a yellow card. Ten minutes in the sin-bin for Marco van Staden as he’s off his feet - the Springboks down to 13 men!
Italy 6-10 South Africa, 50 minutes
13:59 , Luke BakerFive-metre lineout taken well by Italy but the first-phase move breaks down as Zuliani peels off but his pop pass to Menoncello is behind him and hits the deck.
The Springboks hoick a kick clear to the 22. Was Menoncello too flat or was the pass a shade late? Either way, a great moment wasted
Italy 6-10 South Africa, 48 minutes
13:57 , Luke BakerItaly are putting boot to ball with regularity here and doing so very effectively. Garbisi launches another contestable high into the misty Turin sky and Lynagh gets the tap-back ahead of Willemse.
Lynagh then with a neat grubber to about five metres out, where Willemse collects but is piled into touch. Roars around the stadium as the Azzurri have a superb platform a few metres out.
But bad news as Marco Riccioni is down and slow to walk off the pitch, seemingly in a lot of pain. Simone Ferrari on at tighthead
Italy 6-10 South Africa, 46 minutes
13:54 , Luke BakerKolisi comes off as RG Snyman enters the fray for the Boks. Plenty of the Bomb Squad on the pitch now - five replacements are on.
Brilliant touch-finding kick from Louis Lynagh from a free-kick, pinning the Boks in their own half. Really good, field-flipping kick from the winger.
PENALTY! ITALY 6-10 South Africa (Paolo Garbisi, 43 minutes)
13:52 , Luke BakerAnd indeed it is. Easy enough for Paolo Garbisi from bang in front of the sticks to narrow the deficit to four points. Good start to the second half for the underdog hosts.
Italy 3-10 South Africa, 42 minutes
13:51 , Luke BakerThat’s a rare error at scrum-time for the Springboks as they engage early and it’s a free-kick to Italy.
Garbisi loft the up-and-under, South Africa fumble and are pinged right in front of the sticks for illegally trying to recover the ball on the floor. This should be three simple points.
KICK-OFF! Italy 3-10 South Africa
13:48 , Luke BakerBack underway in Turin. Can Italy pull off an almighty shock or will South Africa’s 14 men see this out?
WATCH: Mostert controversially red carded early on
13:42 , Luke BakerAnd here’s the moment Franco Mostert was sent off. Certainly not as egregious as Lood de Jager’s hit last week...
Can the Springboks feel aggrieved?
South Africa are forced to play with 14 after Franco Mostert’s permanent red card 😳
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) November 15, 2025
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/8c1vfdlN2A
Franco Mostert red card: Why was South Africa lock sent off against Italy?
13:37 , Luke BakerSouth Africa lock Franco Mostert was shown a red card during the first half, as the Springboks were controversially reduced to 14 men for the second week in a row.
Just seven days after another Springbok second row, Lood de Jager, was shown red during the double world champions’ hugely impressive win over France from making head contact with Thomas Ramos, Mostert suffered a similar fate.
Here’s everything you need to know about the sending off:
Franco Mostert red card: Why was South Africa lock sent off against Italy?
HT: Italy 3-10 South Africa
13:33 , Harry Latham-CoyleWhat a peculiar half of rugby. Italy have threatened but failed to take their chances, allowing a 14-man South Africa to escape with an advantage. All of the talk, though, will be about Franco Mostert’s dismissal, which did not feel just at all - he’s off for the remainder, but we saw last week how the Springboks can maintain their level even down a man.
HALF TIME: Italy 3-10 South Africa
13:32 , Harry Latham-Coyle
TRY! Italy 3-10 SOUTH AFRICA (Marco van Staden, 41 minutes)
13:31 , Harry Latham-CoyleOn comes the power and over they go! Marco van Staden looks like the man at the bottom of the bundle of bodies as it thunders beneath the posts.
Improbably, South Africa take a seven point lead down the tunnel.
Italy 3-3 South Africa, 40 minutes
13:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleSloppy - a free kick on set-up, granting a chance to South Africa with the clock in the red.
Italy 3-3 South Africa, 38 minutes
13:29 , Harry Latham-CoyleInto the final few minutes of this strange, chaotic half. Again a Springboks up-and-under causes real bother in the backfield of the hosts, Ange Capuozzo significantly out-sized by Ethan Hooker. The ball goes forward from a Springboks hand, though - it’ll be an Italian scrum seven metres from their own line.
PENALTY! ITALY 3-3 South Africa (Paolo Garbisi, 37 minutes)
13:27 , Harry Latham-CoyleThird time lucky for the Italian fly half. Italy are level.
Italy 0-3 South Africa, 36 minutes
13:26 , Harry Latham-CoyleItaly are right on top at scrum time! Danilo Fischetti gets into Wilco Louw and folds him backwards - their penalty, and a chance to level from bang in front, 20 metres out, if they choose.
Italy 0-3 South Africa, 35 minutes
13:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleA delay to the restart as South Africa’s Gerhard Steenekamp is taken off for a head injury assessment - eventually, after a long back-and-forth between the medics and officials. Boan Venter is back on.
PENALTY! Italy 0-3 SOUTH AFRICA (Handre Pollard, 34 minutes)
13:22 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnd Handre Pollard knocks over the penalty from the tee.
No drop goal! Italy 0-0 South Africa, 33 minutes
13:22 , Harry Latham-CoyleHang on - strike that three points from the record! A blocking South African has been picked up by the officials and Handre Pollard’s drop goal has thus been annulled.
Pollard will, though, have a simple penalty to restore South Africa’s lead.
DROP GOAL! Italy 0-3 SOUTH AFRICA (Handre Pollard, 33 minutes)
13:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleMore smart stuff from South Africa - Handre Pollard drops into the pocket and helps himself to three points.
Italy 0-0 South Africa, 31 minutes
13:18 , Harry Latham-CoyleThat’s good from South Africa, Ethan Hooker up in the air to tap back a high kick and Damian Willemse then playing the percentages with a canny kick to trap Italy down in the corner.
And they’ll have a free kick, too - a good chance this.
Italy 0-0 South Africa, 28 minutes
13:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleSo, South Africa’s now looks something like this:
South Africa: 16 Gerhard Steenekamp, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 17 Wilco Louw; 4 Jean Kleyn, 19 Franco Mostert; 6 Siya Kolisi (capt.), 8 Marco van Staden; 9 Morne van den Berg, 10 Handre Pollard; 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 13 Canan Moodie, 14 12 Ethan Hooker; 15 Damian Willemse.
Missed penalty! Italy 0-0 South Africa, 26 minutes
13:13 , Harry Latham-CoyleNot Paolo Garbisi’s best - that’s two misses from the tee from him now.
Italy 0-0 South Africa, 26 minutes
13:13 , Harry Latham-CoyleHere comes more South African beef - Andre Esterhuizen is replacing Edwill van der Merwe, presumably to step in at centre and on the flank when required. Ethan Hooker will go out to the wing.
Paolo Garbisi, meanwhile, is lining up a penalty.
Italy 0-0 South Africa, 25 minutes
13:12 , Harry Latham-CoylePlenty of drama, then, but still we remain pointless in Turin. The Springboks, to recap, have lost a lock, replaced a flanker to get one on, and now changed both props. They’ve done very well to hold Italy out, mind.
Italy 0-0 South Africa, 23 minutes
13:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleManuel Zuliani! Cor, he’s good, over the ball, winning another one at the breakdown.
Well well well - Rassie Erasmus has hooked both his props! Boan Venter follows Zachary Porthen off with Gerhard Steenekamp sent for.
Italy 0-0 South Africa, 21 minutes
13:08 , Harry Latham-CoyleEthan Hooker is packing down on the side of the scrum for South Africa. Again Italy get a slight edge at the set piece but once more they are perhaps guilty of kicking too soon, Juan Ignacio Brex skewing into touch. He’s a classy footballer; that wasn’t his best.
Italy 0-0 South Africa, 19 minutes
13:06 , Harry Latham-CoyleA crunching tackle from Canan Moodie on Niccolo Cannone forces a knock on from the Italian.
Hang on, another Springboks change - young Zachary Porthen is heading off, with Wilco Louw on.
Italy 0-0 South Africa, 17 minutes
13:03 , Harry Latham-CoyleItaly have been very, very close to cracking the Springboks in this first 20 minutes but still they remain without a point. Damian Willemse has been outstanding covering - he races across to collect Ange Capuozzo’s chip before the full-back can regather.
Italy 0-0 South Africa, 16 minutes
13:02 , Harry Latham-CoyleNifty stuff at the lineout breaks the Springboks line, before Paolo Garbisi goes for a crosskick...ah, you’d say that was the wrong call, Monty Ioane well marked by Damian Willemse - and the full-back claims impressively to save South Africa. There was no advantage, either - an odd decision from Garbisi.
Italy 0-0 South Africa, 15 minutes
13:01 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnd Italy monster the Springboks at the first scrum after that change. Into the 22 they go...
Italy 0-0 South Africa, 13 minutes
13:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleRemarkable. The world champions are down to 14 men again, and as it’s a full red card, they won’t be able to replace Franco Mostert after 20 minutes.
I’m staggered, in truth, that the officials reached that decision. Rassie Erasmus makes a change - poor Ben-Jason Dixon is sacrificed to get Ruan Nortje on in the second row.
RED CARD! Franco Mostert is sent off! Italy 0-0 South Africa, 12 minutes
12:58 , Harry Latham-CoyleWow - it’s ANOTHER straight red card for a South Africa lock! Franco Mostert and Siya Kolisi look baffled, and you can see why. The officials decide that he was always illegal, though, as he never wrapped his arms. Would you believe it?
Italy 0-0 South Africa, 12 minutes
12:56 , Harry Latham-CoyleA lot of replays...
Italy 0-0 South Africa, 12 minutes
12:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleOoh - it’s a high shot from Franco Mostert. Is there a wrap? Is there direct head contact on Paolo Garbisi? It’s definitely not as bad as Lood de Jager’s last week...
Italy 0-0 South Africa, 11 minutes
12:54 , Harry Latham-CoyleThat’s more like it from Italy! Some really clever attacking play, looping around a ruck with Tommaso Menoncello on the inside of Paolo Garbisi. The centre biffs through one tackle and then Juan Ignacio Brex is on hand to grubber ahead.
Monty Ioane can’t quite retrieve it...but the officials want a look at something. Over to the screen wanders referee James Doleman.
Italy 0-0 South Africa, 10 minutes
12:52 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s a bit of a stop-start opening, this. Paolo Garbisi’s high hoists is overhit and marked by Damian Willemse.
Italy 0-0 South Africa, 9 minutes
12:51 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Italy 0-0 South Africa, 9 minutes
12:51 , Harry Latham-CoyleKolisi looks to be ok - he took a stiff shoulder from Marco Riccioni that was about two inches from being a high tackle. Right on the chest, though - totally licit. Kolisi packs down on the side of the scrum.
Italy 0-0 South Africa, 8 minutes
12:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe South African kicking game is causing carnage, mind. Louis Lynagh leaps above Edwill van der Merwe but neither can take it cleanly.
Here’s a worry for the Springboks, though, Siya Kolisi down for treatment.
Italy 0-0 South Africa, 6 minutes
12:49 , Harry Latham-CoyleLovely stuff from Italy, working funky shapes away to the right. Monty Ioane carves through a gap outside of Canan Moodie and prods ahead for Ange Capuozzo to chase. Kurt-Lee Arendse is across quickly to cover, but cannot avoid toppling into touch - but an Italian infringement will allow South Africa to clear. Still, a sign of what Italy can do with ball in hand.
Italy 0-0 South Africa, 5 minutes
12:47 , Harry Latham-CoyleWell....that’s interesting. Handre Pollard puts boot to ball again, hoisting a spiral bomb that, to be fair, does befuddle the Italian backfield. It’s massively overhit, mind - dead it rolls in a hurry. Back for an Italian scrum just inside their own half.
Italy 0-0 South Africa, 4 minutes
12:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleA penalty to the Springboks on halfway for an Italian ruck infringement - Handre Pollard punts down to the 22.
Italy 0-0 South Africa, 3 minutes
12:44 , Harry Latham-CoyleItaly’s lineout is disrupted by South Africa, Andrea Zambonin getting hands to it but not managing to transfer smoothly. The Springboks have the ball back soon enough as the ball trundles into touch.
More aerial success for the visitors - Italy’s backfield haven’t quite got their work in that area right yet.
Italy 0-0 South Africa, 2 minutes
12:43 , Harry Latham-CoyleEarly joy from Sotuh Africa with the high ball, Handre Pollard’s up and under taken by Canan Moodie. But that’s some turnover from Manuel Zuliani - the openside is brilliant over the ball and earns a penalty on the fringes of his own 22.
KICK OFF!
12:41 , Harry Latham-CoyleUnderway in Turin.
Italy vs South Africa
12:39 , Harry Latham-CoyleTwo belting anthems. To action.
Italy vs South Africa
12:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleOut the players come into the misty Turin air on what looks a typical Piedmontese November day. It’s not full to the brim, but there appears to be a decent crowd in.
Italy vs South Africa match officials
12:31 , Harry Latham-CoyleReferee: James Doleman (NZ)
ARs: Ben O’Keeffe (NZ) & Jeremy Rozier (Fra)
TMO: Tual Trainini (Fra)
FPRO: Eric Gauzins (Fra)
Siya Kolisi identifies breakdown as key area of contest
12:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleSouth Africa have put in the hard work to counter the threats posed by Italy, with the breakdown a key focus area for the world champions, according to captain Siya Kolisi.
Italy unsettled the Springboks in July when they toured South Africa and while the home side won their first test 42-24, Italy had the ascendancy in the breakdown battle.
Both teams are much changed from then, but Italy’s excellent 26-19 win over Australia last weekend shows they are still a force to be reckoned with when the ball is on the ground.
"It been one of the big areas we spoke about this week," Kolisi told reporters on Friday. "We know how good they are. We have done our homework and we must look after it (the ball) properly."
South Africa have made 11 changes to their starting XV from the side that beat France 32-17 in Paris and Kolisi says it is a chance for a new set of players to put up their hands for the grudge match against Ireland in Dublin on 22 November.
"We all want to play against Ireland and this is an opportunity for us to show what we are capable of doing as a team. But we know how hard this game will be," Kolisi said.
Italy captain Juan Ignacio Brex ready for 'battle'
12:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleItaly captain Juan Ignacio Brex is hoping that his side can learn from their two meetings with the Springboks in South Africa earlier this year as they face the world champions again.
"The feeling is obviously positive. We're coming off a game that made us proud," Brex said ahead of the game. "It gave us a lot of confidence, but we also know that game is over. Now we're facing the best in the world and preparing for a real battle, not only physically but also mentally."
"We faced them twice this summer. In the first match, they focused primarily on physicality, while in the second they focused more on open play and caused us more problems than in the first match. So, they're a truly complete team, and you never know what to expect. They could challenge us in one-on-one contact, but they could also decide to spread the game and explore us out wide. The important thing for us will be to maintain possession and do what we know how to do when we have the ball."
Ben Earl, Andre Esterhuizen and what rugby’s hybrid players tell us about the future of the sport
12:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleAndre Esterhuizen spent much of the second half last week playing a combined centre and flanker role, showing how the Springboks have improved their adaptability again this year.
Earl, Esterhuizen and what hybrid players tell us about the future of rugby
Team news - South Africa
11:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Springboks team is more heavily altered after the exertions against France a week ago. Siya Kolisi continues as captain but much of the rest of the starting line-up is freshened up, with opportunities for youngsters like Zachary Porthen and Ethan Hooker, who wears No 12 having impressed on the wing during the Rugby Championship.
The bench, as ever, is funky, with no specialist hooker included given Marco van Staden’s capacity to cover from No 8. Andre Esterhuizen and Kwagga Smith provide versatility among the replacements.
South Africa XV: 1 Boan Venter, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 3 Zachary Porthen; 4 Jean Kleyn, 5 Franco Mostert; 6 Siya Kolisi (capt.), 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 8 Marco van Staden; 9 Morne van den Berg, 10 Handre Pollard; 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 12 Ethan Hooker, 13 Canan Moodie, 14 Edwill van der Merwe; 15 Damian Willemse.
Replacements: 16 Gerhard Steenekamp, 17 Wilco Louw, 18 RG Snyman, 19 Ruan Nortje, 20 Andre Esterhuizen, 21 Kwagga Smith; 22 Grant Williams, 23 Manie Libbok.
Your #Springboks team to face Italy in Turin tomorrow afternoon 💚💛
— Springboks (@Springboks) November 14, 2025
Watch it live on @SSRugby 🎥#ForeverGreenForeverGold pic.twitter.com/sI9txy69S3
Team news - Italy
11:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleItaly make minimal changes to the side that beat Australia, though Marco Riccioni is preferred to Simone Ferrari at tighthead. Gonzalo Quesada does add an extra forward to the bench to brace for the challenge posed by the Springboks’ forward replacements.
Italy XV: 1 Danilo Fischetti, 2 Giacomo Nicotera, 3 Marco Riccioni; 4 Niccolo Cannone, 5 Andrea Zambonin; 6 Ross Vintcent, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 8 Lorenzo Cannone; 9 Stephen Varney, 10 Paolo Garbisi; 11 Monty Ioane, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex (capt.), 14 Louis Lynagh; 15 Ange Capuozzo.
Replacements: 16 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Simone Ferrari, 19 Federico Ruzza, 20 Riccardo Favretto, 21 David Odiease; 22 Martin Page-Relo, 23 Tommaso Allan.
Il XV scelto da Gonzalo Quesada per il secondo match delle @QuilterNations contro il Sudafrica di Rassie Erasmus 👇#ITAvRSA 🇮🇹🇿🇦
— Italrugby (@Federugby) November 13, 2025
📆 Sabato 15 Novembre
⏰ 13:40
🏟 Allianz Stadium, Torino
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Team news...
11:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleRight, there’s an hour or so until kick off - let’s take a closer look at the two teams...
The other Allianz Stadium
11:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere will be plenty of focus on events at the Allianz Stadium in Twickenham later, the redubbed home of English rugby set for a cracker as the hosts take on the All Blacks. But this first helping of international action is also at an Allianz Stadium - home of Juventus, the Turin ground was renamed in 2017 after a sponsorship deal and is an impressive place, seating just north of 40,000 people. Italy like to take their autumn games on the road away from Rome - though they’ll be back at the Stadio Olimpico for the Six Nations.
Why Wales v Japan is the biggest match of the weekend
11:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s another jam-packed weekend of international action, but is Wales vs Japan the most important game? Luke Baker makes the case for a clash that will be crucial for seeding for the upcoming World Cup draw.
Autumn internationals 2025: Results, fixtures and schedule in full
11:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleWant a reminder of every Quilter Nations Series result so far and the fixtures to come? We’ve got you covered.
Autumn internationals 2025: Results, fixtures and schedule in full
Italy look to build on Australia success
11:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleItaly also arrive on the back of a win, showing again just how dangerous they are by beating Australia in Udine. The Wallabies, of course, beat South Africa in Johannesburg earlier this year - and Italy’s 26-19 victory over Joe Schmidt’s side arguably should have been by a larger margin, with one of Australia’s scores highly debatable.
Springboks lock Lood de Jager handed ban after red card against France
10:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleSouth Africa lock Lood de Jager will miss the remainder of the Springboks’ Quilter Nations Series campaign after his red card against France.
De Jager was shown a straight red card by referee Angus Gardner after making direct shoulder-to-head contact on Thomas Ramos just before half time in Paris.
While the Springboks overcame his dismissal to win 32-17 at the Stade de France, they will now be without their second row today and for the fixtures against Ireland and Wales to come.
Springboks lock Lood de Jager handed ban after red card against France
Last time out...
10:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleSouth Africa provided another reminder of why they are the best team in the world last week, surviving the sending off of Lood de Jager to pull away from France in the final quarter. It was another frightening show of strength from the Springboks.
Italy vs South Africa live
Friday 14 November 2025 13:14 , Harry Latham-CoyleA busy November of international action rolls on with the world champion Springboks in Turin for a meeting with an ever-improving Italy. South Africa beat France in a battle of two of the world’s best sides in Paris last week despite Lood de Jager’s sending off, underlining the challenge facing the Azzurri today.
Kick off at the Allianz Stadium is at 12.40pm GMT.
