Mbonambi warns that Italy are here to front up

You won’t find too many pundits backing an Italy win in the first test against the Springboks this weekend at Loftus Versfeld, mainly because history, among other things, points to a solid Bok win against the 10th-ranked side in the world.

The mismatch in many people’s eyes will only lead to one result, but there is the danger of being complacent and allowing a fierce opponent to get a foothold in a game that could disrupt the narrative, and the Boks are keen to prevent that.

That’s why all the talk from the Bok camp this week has been on not underestimating Italy and what they can bring to the Loftus game. It continued with veteran Bongi Mbonambi, who added his voice to the others, cautioning anyone who would listen not to think the result was a foregone conclusion.

BOKS NOT UNDERESTIMATING AZZURRI

Still, with Italy having just one win in 16 encounters with the Boks and coach Rassie Erasmus naming a very strong outfit to face the Azzurri, everything points to a long afternoon for the visitors at Loftus Versfeld.

𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Rassie Erasmus names his Springbok team to face Italy at Loftus on Saturday 🇿🇦🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/yRVjIE0GtH

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 1, 2025

“Some may be underestimating them, but as a team, we have a lot to lose if we let ourselves down on the field,” Mbonambi warned.

And that is the key. The Boks have incredibly high standards - they are, of course, double World Cup holders and have a target on their backs. But they know if they play to their potential, there will be a win.

Don’t tell that to Mbonambi though; he was still preaching the caution that the camp has decided is their message for the week.

“The Italian pack have proven themselves, especially in the Six Nations,” Mbonambi said from the team’s base on Wednesday.

“We saw how hard they scrummed against top packs. They have a system that they believe in. They’ve proven themselves to be a threat, and they have a plan to use their pack.

“They have two clubs - Benetton and Zebre - at the moment, and a small pool of players to pick from, but the talent is there and you can see they’re willing to work hard.

“The public will have a different look and feel towards the game, but the planning for us this past week has been based on the perception that Italy are going to come down here with a massive challenge.”

STRONG SCRUM

Italy’s 93 per cent success rate in the Six Nations has been quoted several times this week, and the Boks know they will be taken on up front. But that is where Italy have to prove themselves if they want any say in the match.

Mbonambi believes they are ready for what is coming their way.

“We know they’re going to come at us up front," Mbonambi explained.

"The backline players they have are powerful runners. We’re going to have to front up, and it’s going to be a massive battle for 80 minutes.

“We’re never going to get to a place in the game where we are comfortable and allow them to play their game. We are going to have to implement our system - our power, our physicality - onto them before they try what they want to do.”

Either way, both sides know what the other wants to do. The one who can dominate and impose their physicality on the other is likely to come out on top.

The seriousness with which the Boks are taking the challenge points to exactly what they want to achieve, and unless the Azzurri can match that, it will be a tough day for them.