Springbok Women ready for huge Italian challenge

They know what is coming and according to co-captains Sizophila Solontsi and Unam Tose, the Springbok Women are ready for the expected Italian onslaught at Stadio Omero Tognon in Pordenone on Saturday.

The Bok Women completed their preparations for the match, the second of their WXV Global Series tour, on Friday with their traditional captains run and Solontsi said afterwards that this match will be the perfect opportunity for redemption after they fluffed their lines badly against Wales a week ago.

“We made many mistakes against Wales and that showed in the result,” said Solontsi.

“I am fairly confident though that we worked those out of our system and that the performance tomorrow will be a much improved one. We worked hard at training this week to get certain things right and I believe we will see the fruits of that tomorrow.”

The flanker, who will be playing in her 38th Test for South Africa, said their victory over Italy in last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup is still fresh in their minds, but they prepared to face a different Italian side this time.

“They will come at us, that is a fact,” she said.

“They went back and rectified some things since we last played and have showed some good form recently. We had their number in our last match but that was then. This weekend will be a new challenge, and we need to be ready, something I think we are.

“I think we are the underdogs for this one but we don’t mind that. This match will be won by the team who wants it the most. I cannot speak for them but I can tell you that we will leave everything out there to beat them.”

Solontsi has captained the Springbok Women’s Sevens team on numerous occasions but Saturday’s match will be the first in which she shares that responsibility at Test level.

“I don’t really see any issues around that, we have several leaders in the team and a nice, strong leadership group that works well together,” said Solontsi.

“Added to that, we have drivers that are in charge in certain aspects of the game and they communicate very well also, so I don’t expect any misunderstandings on the field tomorrow.”

Solontsi said they are also playing for those who are backing the team and supporting them: “We really want to show everyone who invest in us that they are not wasting time or money. Our sponsors, our fans, our families and also our management who do so much to prepare us, we all want to give back by delivering a good performance on Saturday.”

Tose, who will run out for her 33rd Test cap, indicated that there will be a tweak in their playing style on Saturday and that their supporters can expect to see more of the backline.

“We have the luxury of playing behind a great pack which always gives us backs good forward momentum,” said Tose.

“We have been guilty in the past of not using those opportunities to the fullest, so we are looking to do that tomorrow.

“Without giving anything away, we worked on some nice movements amongst the backs, and I am expecting us to deliver that tomorrow. We need to give the forwards some returns on their efforts and I am confident that we will do so.”

Tose said Italy’s skill set will force them to be sharp in decision-making and execution: “We were poor last week in our execution and cannot do that again. We worked hard in training to fix those things, and I think we did that.

“They are a skilful team, a good team and if we want to beat them, we need to be clinical for sure. It will be an exciting match. We are hoping to limit our mistakes also, because at this level, you pay for that and one mistake can change the match.”

Head-to-head: Springbok Women v Italy

25/11/2018: Lost 10-35, Prato

20/10/2023: Lost 36-18, Cape Town

12/10/2024: Lost 23-10, Cape Town

31/08/2025: Won 29-24, York (2025 Women's World Cup)

Italy Women starting XV: 15 Vittoria Ostuni Minuzzi (capt), 14 Aura Muzzo, 13 Michela Sillari, 12 Sara Mannini, 11 Alyssa D'inca; 10 Emma Stevanin, 9 Sofia Stefan; 8 Elisa Giordano, 7 Alissa Ranuccini, 6 Francesca Sgorbini; 5 Giordana Duca, 4 Alessandra Frangipani; 3 Alessia Pilani, 2 Vittoria Vecchini, 1 Silvia Turani. Replacements: 16 Chiara Cheli, 17 Laura Foscato,18 Gaia Dosi, 19 Giulia Cavina, 20 Mascia Jelic, 21 Alia Bitonci, 22 Beatrice Rigoni, 23 Francesca Granzotto.

Springbok Women starting XV: 15 Jakkie Cilliers, 14 Alichia Arries, 13 Maceala Samboya, 12 Shiniqwa Lamprecht, 11 Maria Tshiremba; 10 Byrhandré Dolf, 9 Unam Tose (co-capt); 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Lerato Makua, 6 Sizophila Solontsi (co-capt); 5 Catha Jacobs, 4 Vainah Ubisi; 3 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 2 Anushka Groenewald, 1 Yonela Ngxingolo. Replacements: 16 Micke Gunter, 17 Sanelisiwe Charlie, 18 Babalwa Latsha, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Logan Welman, 21 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 22 Felicia Jacobs, 23 Libbie Janse van Rensburg.

Italy v South Africa - Saturday @ Stadio Omero Tognon, Pordenone - 2.30pm (SAST)

Referee: Holly Wood (RFU)

Assistant Referees: Maria Latos (DRV), Emily Hope (RFU)

Television Match Official: Dan Jones (RFU)

Split Screen/FPRO: Hamish Smales (RFU)