The Italian 23 for the match against South Africa in Port Elizabeth

July 10, 2025
2940
Ultimate Rugby

Gonzalo Quesada, Head Coach of the Italian Men’s National Rugby Team, has revealed the lineup for the upcoming clash against South Africa on Saturday, 12 July, at 5:10 p.m. The match, set to take place at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, will be the final Test of Italy’s 2025 Summer Tour and will be broadcast live on Sky Sport Arena.

This will mark the 18th encounter between Italy and South Africa, coming just a week after their previous meeting in Pretoria, where the Springboks secured a 42-24 victory.

The Italian starting XV features five changes from the team that played in Pretoria. A revamped back three includes fullback Mirko Belloni – earning his first start for the senior national side – alongside wingers Lynagh and Trulla. The center duo of Menoncello and Zanon remains intact, while Alessandro Garbisi will line up at fly-half, partnering Giacomo Da Re, who earns his third straight start.

Ross Vintcent will take on the No. 8 role in the back row, joined by Zuliani and the returning Sebastian Negri. Captain Niccolò Cannone and Zambonin continue as the second-row pairing, with the front row unchanged: Ferrari, Di Bartolomeo, and Fischetti.

The bench includes Dimcheff, Spagnolo, Hasa, Canali, Izekor, Odiase, Varney, and Bertaccini, ready to provide impact when called upon.

Meanwhile, back-row player Lorenzo Cannone remains sidelined with the back injury he sustained in the opening match of the tour. He will not be available for the Port Elizabeth game and will return to Italy with the team at the tour’s conclusion to begin rehabilitation under his club’s care.

This is Italy's lineup:

15 Mirko BELLONI (Zebre Parma, 1 cap)

14 Louis LYNAGH (Benetton Rugby, 6 caps)

13 Tommaso MENONCELLO (Benetton Rugby, 30 caps)

12 Marco ZANON (Benetton Rugby, 18 caps)

11 Jacopo TRULLA (Zebre Parma, 16 caps)

10 Giacomo DA RE (Zebre Parma, 4 caps)

9 Alessandro GARBISI (Benetton Rugby, 17 caps)

8 Ross VINTCENT (Exeter Chiefs, 16 caps)

7 Manuel ZULIANI (Benetton Rugby, 34 caps)

6 Sebastian NEGRI (Benetton Rugby, 64 caps)

5 Andrea ZAMBONIN (Exeter Chiefs, 11 caps)