Turin (Italy) (AFP) – Six days before their highly anticipated clash against the Blues, the South Africans did not provide details: the reigning double world champions humiliated the Italians 66 to 7 on Saturday in Turin.

Published on: 07/11/2026 - 14:48

Since their arrival in Europe, coach Rassie Erasmus and his Springboks have insisted that the Nazionale, even beaten three times this summer during the first part of the Nations Championship and deprived of numerous injured executives (Menoncello, Brex, Lamaro), was not to be taken lightly.

The message was integrated very well. To the great misfortune of the Italians, overwhelmed, asphyxiated and dominated in all sectors of the game, who conceded a total of nine tries. The South African hurricane, impressive in strength and control, won Gonzalo Quesada's Nazionale in just twenty-five minutes with five tries (38-0), all converted by Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, author of the first points on penalty in the 5th minute and the first try (8th).

The opener, a new 24-year-old phenomenon in "sud-af" rugby, scored 26 points (100% success), but had a small scare when he had to leave at the hour mark as part of a concussion protocol, before returning for the last ten minutes.

Returning from the locker room, which they had joined with a disbursement of 45 points, the Italians regained some color, helped it is true by the replacements made quickly by Erasmus (Kolisi, Wiese, Toit, Nche and Marx, author of two tries, from the 45th).

Finally putting their hands on the ball, the Azzurri saved honor with a try from Federico Ruzza, transformed by Tommaso Allan (52-7, 62nd) to avoid finishing "fanny" for the first time since July 2025 and a test match lost 45-0, already, against South Africa.

Next opponents of this impressive South Africa which added two tries in the final (72nd, 80th), French and Irish are warned: less than a year before the next World Cup, the Springboks have come to Europe to make an impression.

© 2026 AFP

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