AUDIO: Azzurri prepared to fireside extra pictures at bumbling Boks

South African coach Rassie Erasmus’ frustration was palpable as his staff gave an unconvincing efficiency of their season opener in Pretoria this previous weekend.

However, maybe the ‘critics’ didn’t give the Italians sufficient credit score for making the Springboks look lower than assured.

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The 25-point (28-3) half-time lead regarded quite a bit much less convincing on the ultimate whistle – a 18-point (42-24) win, after the Azzurri gained the second half 21-14 (three tries to 2).

Rookie Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, who made his Azzurri debut in opposition to Namibia and began in opposition to the Boks at Loftus Versfeld final Saturday, mentioned they aren’t planning to alter a lot in Port Elizabeth.

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"We know what features of our recreation should nonetheless enhance," the 24-year-old hooker informed @rugby365com.

Having conceded six tries in Pretoria, 4 of these in an underwhelming first half (gifting the Boks a 28-3 half-time lead), the vacationers will likely be specializing in a extra assured defensive effort on the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium this coming Saturday.

Asked in regards to the step up from dealing with the brutal South African forwards within the United Rugby Championship and now on the Test space, the Zebre entrance row ahead mentioned there may be not a lot distinction and they’re properly accustomed to the physicality.

The massive rider is that a number of gamers within the Bok pack don’t play within the URC and produce a distinct problem to the nationwide staff – gamers just like the Japan-based assortment of Jasper Wiese, Lood de Jager, Malcolm Marx and Franco Mostert.

* (LISTEN as Italian hooker Tommaso Di Bartolomeo guarantees South Africa one other stern check in Port Elizabeth on Saturday,….)

"We could not have confronted these gamers earlier than," Di Bartolomeo mentioned, including: "However, if you put on the [Bok] jersey, the passions and energy is greater – you set in that further effort on your nation."

Di Bartolomeo mentioned they conceded a few ‘mushy tries’ at Loftus and the Azzurri want to chop down of their error price, which included 11 turnovers and two yellow playing cards.

"We should produce our handiest efficiency if we’re to problem South Africa as we did [in the second half] final week."

The hooker admitted that the Boks will try to lift the bar from final week and get near their finest kind."

@king365ed

@rugby365com

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July 7, 2025 at 04:17PM