Boks preparing for psyched-up Italian outfit

Springbok utility backs Damian Willemse and Ethan Hooker said they were mentally preparing for a gruelling Test against Italy at the Allianz Stadium in Turin on Saturday and had no doubt that the hosts’ victory over Australia last weekend would psyche them up even more going into the match.

The third Test in the Castle Lager Outgoing Tour kicks off at 2.40pm (SA time) and will be broadcast live on SuperSport’s Grandstand and Rugby channels.

“Italy has really built their team all around,” said Willemse.

“They defend and attack well and they have great players who can pull strings for them, so it’s going to be a big challenge, especially in the air. Set-piece wise, they are a good mauling team and can take it up front as well and their wings can get up high, so they have a good team throughout.”

With Italy still languishing in the excitement of defeating Australia 26-19 last weekend, Willemse added: “It’s going to be a super contest and they’ll definitely bring it to us. They are on a high after their win last week and rightfully so. They’ve been playing very good rugby, as we saw in July when they came to SA.

“We managed to get the win in the first game in Pretoria and then in Gqeberha but I’ve also played for the DHL Stormers in Italy against Zebre Parma and Benetton and they have good players who have made that step-up. They are also well coached, so it’s going to be a huge battle on the field, and we are looking forward to it.”

Hooker, who made his Test debut against Italy during the Castle Lager Incoming Series, felt exactly the same about the threat the Azzurri posed.

“They are always a tough team – I’ve never faced them at home but I can imagine they’d be a different monster over here,” said Hooker.

“Our team is not finalised yet but if I were to play against them, it would be a very special game because I made my debut against them, so it would almost be a homecoming for me in a way.”

Commenting on their backs specifically, Hooker said: “They have very good backs who are extremely physical and they have great playmakers, so I think it would be a perfect test for us.

“The keys for us will be to front up physically, take whatever comes our way, stick to our structures and then just perform as well as we can.”

Hooker added: “They’ll take huge confidence from last week because the Wallabies are a quality team. They’ll definitely take the things they learned from that game and try to use it against us as well.”

The exciting young back brushed off talk that the Boks would enter the favourites as the top team on the world rankings, while Italy are ranked 10th and said: “World rankings are important for the World Cup draw but going into this game, it doesn’t mean much to us. It’s all about how the team pitches up on the day, so we don’t look much into that.

“They’ve beaten us in Italy before (in 2016), and they are going to come out and give their best, so we have to match them and be better than them on the day to get the result.”

Both players looked forward to playing at a new venue, the Allianz Stadium, which is the home of the football club Juventus and said it would make it a memorable occasion.

“I’m a big football fan and even though I support Arsenal, it’s going to be an incredible atmosphere to play at the stadium and I’m sure it will be the first time many of the players play there,” said Willemse. “But the most important thing for us is to get our detail right this week and enjoy Saturday.”

Hooker added: “I’ve never been to the stadium and I’ve always liked Juventus as a team, so I’m very excited to play there.”

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus will announce his matchday squad on Thursday.

Springboks v Italy @ Allianz Stadium, Turin - 2.40pm

Referee: James Doleman (NZR)

Assistant Referee 1: Ben O'Keeffe (NZR)

Assistant Referee 2: Jérémy Rozier (FFR)

TMO: Tual Trainini (FFR)

FPRO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)