While they are a bit thin on experience in their own scrum, the Springboks are taking the setpiece threat of Italy this weekend very seriously.
Scrum coach Daan Human warned that the Italian scrum was one of their strong points and while the Boks are still expected to win handsomely against their opposition at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, the Boks won’t be complacent in any way.
Italy’s improvement over the past few seasons - while it hasn’t paid off dividends just yet - shows the way the team have become more of a force and more consistent in their attack. And while many would expect the World Champions to be way too strong for them, the Boks know they need to do the basics right if they are to get the result they want.
WON’T UNDERESTIMATE ITALY
“The one thing about us as the Springboks is that we do not underestimate any side, and we know that Italy are very focused on their forward play, so it will be a proper test match,” Human warned.
Italy may be ranked 10th in the world, but the Boks were impressed with their form in their 73-6 win over Namibia last Friday in their warm-up for their South African tour.
“They were very competitive in their first two Six Nations matches, and they have a 93 per cent scrum completion rate, which says a lot about that area of their game,” said Human.
“There is definitely some stuff we can take out of that (Namibia) game, because about 80 per cent of those players we will be facing this weekend. They also won four scrum penalties and got a penalty try.
“I also know the guys who played for Namibia, there is a lot of experience in the front row. Some of those guys have been to three World Cups, like Aranos Coetzee and Chucky (Louis van der Westhizen).
“So Namibia are still a proper side and I will take anything I can use to prepare us for what Italy will bring.”
BETTER BOK SCRUM PERFORMANCE
Human expected a better scrumming performance from the Boks as well, especially as they can properly prepare for Italy as opposed to the unknowns of the Barbarians.
“The big difference is that the Baabaas don’t play regularly," he explained, “so we had to look at them as individuals.
"This week we play a proper test match team and we can do much more homework. That is the big difference, and having had our opening match, there is now stuff we can work on.”
Human reminded those who would listen that the Boks are very wary of the standard they set themselves and even while fans may expect a big match from them, they need to concentrate on getting to their own goals in every facet of the game, and meeting their own standards.
“I think going into the weekend as well, we want to set a high standard. It doesn't matter who we play. We respect them and I think both Italy and Georgia have great scrums.
We want to improve during the week and make sure we're as ready as possible when the weekend comes. We have massive respect for both of them and we know we need to be good in the scrums.”
The Italian Job is on 🇿🇦💥🇮🇹
— Springboks (@Springboks) June 30, 2025
The men in green and gold take on the Azzurri in Pretoria and Gqeberha this July - and it’s more than just a clash of colours. Italian flavour meets South African fire 🤌
Two cities. One mission.
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