A WIN of any kind may seem to be a low benchmark for the world champions as they take on Italy, but such has been the disastrous nature of South Africa’s northern hemisphere tour that they are taking nothing for granted in Udine today (2pm Irish time).
Two midweek defeats – to Leicester and Saracens – and a Test loss in the space of a fortnight confirms the Boks have been struggling so far on what was always going to be a tough European trip.
Despite his countrymen being manhandled by France in their last Test, Bok debutant Wian du Preez is ready for anything the highly respected Italian front row throw at him today.
The Cheetahs loosehead will be up against Tigers tighthead Martin Castrogiovanni, who sent a powerful message in the first tour fixture at Welford Road as the Leicester scrum demolished their South African opponents.
"It’s going to be a challenge, I saw what he did against the All Blacks and it’s a real baptism of fire," said the 27-year-old, who replaces Tendai Mtawarira.
"Its up there, it’s my first experience of international rugby so it’s going to be a big test.
"The Italians are a big physical side of forwards, you can see they work well as a pack. Castro’s a big guy, it’s going to be a physical test on Saturday.
"They’re really improving and they’re a passionate people. They’re very supportive of us, it’s going to be special representing South Africa."
"I think we’re in a brilliant position, although not the one we wanted to be in."
Despite resting Mtawarira and vice-captain Victor Matfield for this game while selecting two more uncapped players for the bench, de Villiers believes Italy are a team to be taken seriously following last week’s 20-6 defeat to New Zealand.
"The biggest lesson that anyone can learn from that game is the gentle way the Italians are growing in this game, they will pose a threat to rest of world come 2011 (the World Cup)," he said.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Saturday, November 21, 2009
