Italy's injury nightmare ahead of Bok game

The Springboks will be at full strength. Well, as close to it as they can get, barring the injuries of Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe, Andre Esterhuizen and Handre Pollard - but Italy face a nightmare injury list ahead of Saturday’s Nations Championship test against the world champions.

The Azzurri have revealed that they have up to 15 players on the injured list - including some influential figures in their side - as they prepare for a stern test at home against the Boks.

That list includes their captain Michele Lamaro, star midfielders Tommaso Menoncello and Ignacio Brex and influential forward Sebastian Negri.

As if that is not enough, they also have several others out, including prop Marco Riccioni, winger Louis Lynagh and scrumhalf Martin Page-Relo.

Still, the Italians have a lot more depth than before, and Benetton’s big win over Edinburgh - the latter without their Scotland players - this past weekend points to a side that can trouble the Boks if they are not careful.

Quesada can still call on star fullback/winger Ange Capuozzo, wingers Matt Gallagher and Monty Ioane, midfielders Federico Mori and Leonardo Marin, while Paolo Garbisi is likely to be their 10 for the game.

The Cannone brothers - Lorenzo and Niccolo - are likely to start at 8 and 4, while tighthead prop Simone Ferrari is still there, as is flanker Ross Vincent.

The Springbok selections have raised eyebrows with how strong the Boks have gone for this game, but they are on a mission to try and win the Nations Championship.

For Italy, by the looks of that injury list, it may be more damage control than trying to cause an upset.

ITALY INJURY & UNAVAILABILITY LIST (NOVEMBER 2026)

FORWARDS:

1. Michele Lamaro (Flanker / Captain)

2. Sebastian Negri (loose forward)

3. Marco Riccioni (Prop)

4. Andrea Zambonin (Lock)

5. Alessandro Izekor (loose forward)

6. Giulio Marini (loose forward)

7. Riccardo Favretto (Lock / Flanker)

8. David Odiase (loose forward)

9. Giosuè Zilocchi (Prop)