Monty Ioane, hailing originally from Australia, is set to mark his 50th cap for Italy this weekend as they face South Africa in the Nations Championship. Coach Gonzalo Quesada has included him in a back three line-up alongside Ange Capuozzo from Toulouse and Zebre’s Mirko Belloni.
Giocomo Nicotera, after an impressive hat-trick for Stade Francais against La Rochelle, will captain the team for the second time. He’ll be joined in the front row by tighthead prop Simone Ferrari and loosehead Muhamed Hasa. Notably, Ferrari and replacement back Tommaso Allan are veterans from Italy’s sole victory over South Africa a decade ago in Florence.
Paolo Odogwu and Leonardo Marin will form the center pairing, filling in for the injured Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex. The team faces challenges with 16 players unavailable, including captain Michele Lamaro and forward stalwarts Sebastian Negri and Andrea Zambonin. Samuele Locatelli will debut at openside flanker with Alessandro Ortombina taking his third cap at blindside.
Experienced locks Federico Ruzza and Niccolò Cannone are enlisted, with Lorenzo Cannone positioned at No. 8. The match unfolds in Turin, recalling last year’s meeting where the Springboks, even with 14 men, emerged victorious 32-14. Kick-off is set for 13:40 (SA time).
