South Africa Springboks will host Italy at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, for the second of two test matches between the teams. Italy surprised many last week, when they roared back in the second half against the Boks at Loftus Versfeld.
The Azzurri missed the mark in the first half, but with a final score of 42-24, including a last second try by the Boks, the Italians have to be happy with their effort.
This week, Italy will try to improve upon that result, while the all-world Springboks will do their best to shut down any criticism with a comprehensive win.
Follow along for scores, live updates, and highlights, or subscribe to watch Springboks vs. Italy live. Remember to refresh for new updates.
Springboks Forward Pack = Unstoppable – 19′
South Africa 10, Italy 0
Edwill van der Merwe Try
TRY | Edwill van der Merwe | Min 15
Taking advantage of his starting opportunity, Edwill van der Merwe finishes off the try by the slimmest of margins! Manie Libbok misses the conversion RSA 10 – ITA 0.#RSAvITA pic.twitter.com/K5vdTPQnYS
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) July 12, 2025
Boks Score Again – 15′
South Africa 10, Italy 0
Edwill van der Merwe is tackled out of bounds as he stretches for the try line, and he’s able to get it down upon review.
Another strong start to the first half for the Springboks.
Manie Libbok misses a difficult conversion.
Grant Williams Try
TRY | Grant Williams | Min 9
On the back of a frustrating opening ten minutes where the Boks appeared to be underestimating the Italians once again, the home side finally get ascendancy at scrum time. From here their outrageously fast backline strikes! RSA 7 – ITA 0 #RSAvITA pic.twitter.com/SZ6dD6n7Dx
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) July 12, 2025
Springboks Score! – 8′
South Africa 5, Italy 0
Of course, the Springboks immediately break off a run, with Grant Williams taking it across the line for the try.
The Boks ran nearly half the field.
Manie Libbok misses the conversion, but was crucial in the build-up.
Fits & Starts – 7′
South Africa 0, Italy 0
Still not much going in this game yet, although the South Africans have a glimmer in their eye.
Italian Scrum At Own 5m Line – 3′
South Africa 0, Italy 0
Knock on in the build-up by the Springboks leads to a scrum at the 5m line. Boks nearly scored, but it wouldn’t have counted.
No real momentum in this game yet.
Game Begins – 0′
South Africa 0, Italy 0
The second of two tests between the Springboks and Italy begins.
All eyes on are Willie le Roux as he reaches his 100th cap today.
Springboks purposefully botched the kickoff to get a scrum to start.
Only the Springboks would intentionally concede a free kick at the kick-off to set up a scrum 😆🇿🇦
Too bad it backfired this time, but you can’t knock the thought process 😂#RSAvITA #Springboks pic.twitter.com/clvuqoWdbl
— FloRugby (@FloRugby) July 12, 2025
Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium Is Packed
The SA rugby crowd came out for the second Springboks test against Italy.
The Springboks have never lost at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
What Time Are The Springboks Playing Today?
The match between South Africa Springboks and Italy kicks off at 11:10 a.m. ET on July 12 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Where To Watch Springboks Vs. Italy
In the USA, FloRugby will broadcast South Africa Springboks vs. Italy on July 12.
South Africa, England, New Zealand and France will play summer test matches on FloRugby and the FloSports app.
Springboks Vs. Italy: Last 10 Meetings
- Nov. 21, 2009 – South Africa 32, Italy 10 (test)
- June 19, 2010 – South Africa 29, Italy 13 (test)
- June 26, 2010 – South Africa 55, Italy 11
- June 8, 2013 – South Africa 44, Italy 10 (test)
- Nov. 22, 2014 – South Africa 22, Italy 6 (test)
- Nov. 19, 2016 – Italy 20, South Africa 18 (test)
- Nov. 25, 2017 – South Africa 35, Italy 6 (test)
- Oct. 4, 2019 – South Africa 49, Italy 3 (2019 Rugby World Cup)
- Nov. 19, 2022 – South Africa 63, Italy 21 (test)
- July 5, 2025 – South Africa 42, Italy 24 (test)
Most Capped Springboks
Willie le Roux reaches his 100th cap today.
Here are the most capped Springboks players of all time. After today there will be eight Springboks with 100 caps, also known as Springbok Centurions.
- Eben Etzebeth – 132 caps (2012–present)
- Victor Matfield – 127 caps (2001–2015)
- Bryan Habana – 124 caps (2004–2016)
- Tendai Mtawarira – 117 caps (2008–2019)
- John Smit – 111 caps (2000–2011)
- Jean de Villiers – 109 caps (2002–2015)
- Percy Montgomery – 102 caps (1997–2008)
- Willie le Roux – 99 caps (2013–present)
- Siya Kolisi – 92 caps (2013–present)
- Joost van der Westhuizen – 89 caps (1993–2003)
A special day for Willie le Roux and his family ❤#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #RSAvITA pic.twitter.com/YHiVGEDiaq
— Springboks (@Springboks) July 12, 2025
Springboks Lineup : Last Week → This Week
South Africa Springboks Lineup
- Ox Nche → Thomas du Toit
- Malcolm Marx → Malcolm Marx
- Wilco Louw → Wilco Louw
- Eben Etzebeth → Salmaan Moerat
- Lood de Jager → Ruan Nortje
- Marco van Staden → Marco van Staden
- Vincent Tshituka → Pieter-Steph du Toit
- Jasper Wiese → Jasper Wiese
- Morne van den Berg → Grant Williams
- Handré Pollard → Manie Libbok
- Kurt-Lee Arendse → Makazole Mapimpi
- Damian de Allende → Andre Esterhuizen
- Jesse Kriel → Canan Moodie
- Cheslin Kolbe → Edwill van der Merwe
- Damian Willemse → Willie Le Roux
- Bongi Mbonambi → Jan-Hendrik Wessels
- Jan-Hendrik Wessels → Ox Nche
- Vincent Koch → Asenathi Ntlabakanye
- RG Snyman → Cobus Wiese
- Franco Mostert → Evan Roos
- Kwagga Smith → Cobus Reinach
- Faf de Klerk → Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
- Willie Le Roux → Ethan Hooker
South Africa Springboks Lineup
- Thomas du Toit
- Malcolm Marx
- Wilco Louw
- Salmaan Moerat
- Ruan Nortje
- Marco van Staden
- Pieter-Steph du Toit
- Jasper Wiese
- Grant Williams
- Manie Libbok
- Makazole Mapimpi
- Andre Esterhuizen
- Canan Moodie
- Edwill van der Merwe
- Willie Le Roux
Substitutes: 16. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17. Ox Nche, 18. Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19. Cobus Wiese, 20. Evan Roos, 21. Cobus Reinach, 22. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23. Ethan Hooker
Italy Rugby Lineup
- Danilo Fischetti
- Tommaso Di Bartolomeo
- Simone Ferrari
- Niccolo Cannone
- Andrea Zambonin
- Sebastian Negri
- Manuel Zuliani
- Ross Vintcent
- Alessandro Garbisi
- Giacomo Da Re
- Jacopo Trulla
- Marco Zanon
- Tommaso Menoncello
- Louis Lynagh
- Mirko Belloni
Substitutes: 16. Pablo Dimcheff, 17. Mirco Spagnolo, 18. Muhamed Hasa, 19. Matteo Canali, 20. Alessandro Izekor, 21. David Odiase, 22. Stephen Varney, 23. Giulio Bertaccini
Springboks Shake Things Up After Loftus Letdown
Ruthless Rassie was in force this week as the World Cup-winning coach ran the changes following a brutally poor second half by his charges at Loftus Versfeld.
Whether this was part of Rassie’s pre-arranged plans is hard to gauge, as, unlike most international coaches, he is confident in changing his side from week to week. Based on his comments during the week, these changes are more likely down to performance with the Boks’ famed bomb squad fizzling and failing to fire when called up last week.
Getting battered by a second-string Italian side who they should’ve buried when leading 28 – 3 at halftime. Instead, Italy closed the gap to 35 – 24 with less than ten minutes to go before Alessandro Izekor was sent to the sin bin. This numerical advantage was capitalised on by the Boks, who scored the final try through Marco van Staden, who has been promoted to the starting line-up this week.
With Rassie’s words ringing in their ears, the Boks have to react with a big eighty-minute performance. For new caps Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Cobus Wiese and Ethan Hooker, the opportunity to press their case for further inclusion is right there. So too for the returning Evan Roos, who has long been heralded as a potential starting eight for the Boks but who has to date struggled to lock down his position in the squad.
Finally, the great Willie Le Roux making his 100th appearance for the Boks should be the final piece of motivation for the Boks to go the distance this week. Should they not show the ruthless edge of last season, it could spell the end of several veteran players. -Philip Bendon
Italy Warming Up
#Azzurri ɪɴ ᴛʜᴇ ʙᴜɪʟᴅɪɴɢ 📌#RSAvITA 🇿🇦🇮🇹
🗓️ Sabato 12 Luglio
⏰ 17:10 (ITA)
🏟️ Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
📺 @skysport arena ▪ @NOWTV_It #insieme #rugbypassioneitaliana pic.twitter.com/6uVgxC4fiK
— Italrugby (@Federugby) July 12, 2025
Coin Toss Completed
Test match loading in the Bay 🔋#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #RSAvITA pic.twitter.com/DTiD9FUcEu
— Springboks (@Springboks) July 12, 2025
One Hour Til Gametime
The #Springboks are in the house ⚡#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #RSAvITA pic.twitter.com/4GB7ixRVC5
— Springboks (@Springboks) July 12, 2025
Recap: Springboks Vs. Italy From July 5
Final: South Africa 42, Italy 24
The Boks dominated the first half at Loftus Versfeld, scoring four tries and leading 28-3 at halftime, with Morne van den Berg tallying two of the tries.
However, Italy came out strong in the second half, scoring four tries, including efforts from Pablo Dimcheff and Niccolò Cannone, narrowing the gap to 35-24.
Marco van Staden sealed the win for South Africa with a late try.
South Africa Vs. Italy Kick Off Time
The match between South Africa Springboks and Italy kicks off at 11:10 a.m. ET on July 12 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
South Africa World Rugby Ranking
South Africa is ranked No. 1 in the world with 92.78 points.
Italy World Rugby Ranking
Italy is ranked No. 10 in the world with 77.77 points.
Springboks Fixtures 2025
June 28
July 5
July 12
July 19
Aug. 16
Aug. 23
Sept. 6
Sept. 13
Sept. 27
Oct. 4
Nov. 8
- 3:10 p.m. ET: France vs. South Africa
Nov. 15
- 7:40 a.m. ET: Italy vs. South Africa
Nov. 22
- 12:40 p.m. ET: Ireland vs. South Africa
Nov. 29
- 10:10 a.m. ET: Wales vs. South Africa
Italy Rugby Fixtures 2025
July 5
July 12
Nov. 8
- 12:40 p.m. ET: Italy vs. Australia
Nov. 15
- 7:40 a.m. ET: Italy vs. South Africa
Nov. 22
- 3:10 p.m. ET: Italy vs. Samoa
Where To Watch Summer Rugby Internationals
In the USA, FloRugby will broadcast some of the best international rugby fixtures of 2025.
South Africa, England, New Zealand and France will play matches on FloRugby and the FloSports app.
International Rugby Fixtures 2025 On FloRugby
June 28
July 4
July 5
July 12
July 18
July 19
Aug. 16
Aug. 23
Sept. 5
Sept. 6
Sept. 13
Sept. 27
Oct. 4
Nov. 8
Nov. 15
Nov. 22
World Rugby Rankings 2025 – July 7, 2025
- South Africa – 92.78
- New Zealand – 90.98
- Ireland – 89.83
- France – 88.90
- England – 86.72
- Argentina – 82.98
- Scotland – 82.36
- Australia – 82.08
- Fiji – 79.52
- Italy – 77.77
- Georgia – 74.69
- Japan – 73.70
- Samoa – 72.68
- Wales – 72.65
- USA – 70.02
- Spain – 67.34
- Uruguay – 67.06
- Portugal – 64.44
- Tonga – 65.46
- Chile – 63.20
- Romania – 63.13
Springboks Game Today Live
Watch the South Africa Springboks take on Italy on July 12 at 11:00 a.m. ET on FloRugby.
South Africa Rugby Today
Watch the South Africa Springboks take on Italy on July 12 at 11:00 a.m. ET on FloRugby.
How To Watch International Rugby In USA
FloRugby broadcasts dozens of international rugby matches throughout the year, including the summer rugby internationals from June to November.
How To Watch The Rugby Championship 2025
In the United States, rugby fans can watch 2025 The Rugby Championship on FloRugby and the FloSports App.
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
The URC will stream all its matches on FloRugby and the FloSports app in the United States. FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.