Italy vs South Africa Preview & Prediction | 2026 Nations Championship | Round 4
by Trystan Pugh ·
Updated
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Italy host South Africa in Turin as both sides resume their 2026 Nations Championship campaigns.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – ITVX / USA – RugbyPass TV
Italy team news: Ioane to win 50th cap, Locatelli set for debut
Squad: Mirko Belloni; Ange Capuozzo, Paolo Odogwu, Leonardo Marin, Monty Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Alessandro Fusco; Muhamed Hasa, Giacomo Nicotera (capt), Simone Ferrari; Niccolo Cannone, Federico Ruzza; Alessandro Ortombina, Samuele Locatelli, Lorenzo Cannone
Replacements: Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Danilo Fischetti, Ion Neculai, Enoch Opoku Gyamfi, Ross Vintcent, Manuel Zuliani, Stephen Varney, Tommaso Allan
South Africa team news: Kolisi captains experienced matchday 23
Squad: Damian Willemse; Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Ethan Hooker; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Morne van den Berg; Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, Thomas du Toit; Salmaan Moerat, Ruan Nortje; Siya Kolisi (capt), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Jasper Wiese
Replacements: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Gerhard Steenekamp, Wilco Louw, Lood de Jager, Cameron Hanekom, Paul de Villiers, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok
Italy vs South Africa prediction
Italy had a tough July, losing all their games without picking up a point and conceding 131 points in the process. Their opening-round loss to Japan set the tone, with the Azzurri then being comfortably beaten by New Zealand and Australia.
South Africa have named an experienced side and are the overwhelming favourites here. The reigning world champions won all three of their Nations Championship matches in July, and have been involved in some high-quality battles with Southern Hemisphere rivals New Zealand and Australia in recent months.
The gap in quality and depth is considerable and South Africa have the power to run away with this one. Backing a Springboks victory by a significant margin looks the way to go in this one, despite the fact this match is taking place in Turin.
Italy vs South Africa tip: South Africa to win with -27.5 handicap
