Nick Mallett, the South African coach, who coaches Italy has named a slightly enlarged Italy squad of 24 men for this weekend’s clash against the Springboks.

There were no surprises in the squad picked to face the world champions with the core of the squad beaten 20 / 6 by New Zealand last weekend retained.

Although Italy are on a long run of losses, 12 games on the trot, they boast a formidable forwards pack and gave the All Blacks 2nd stringers a torrid time this past weekend.

My worry still lies in how the Springboks are going to cope come scrum time.

This is what some of the Italians had to say:

“I think it will be a tougher match than that of last Saturday because the South Africans are more physical than New Zealand,” said winger Mirco Bergamasco.

“We will have to be more present in defence, effective with the high ball and careful with their kicking game.

“After the game against the All Blacks there was no self-gratification in the group, we can’t allow ourselves to lower the tension because against opponents such as South Africa, you can pay dearly for any mistakes.”

The Italy squad chosen is:

Italy:

Forwards:
Matias Aguero (Saracens/England), Mauro Bergamasco (Stade Francais/France), Martin Castrogiovanni (Leicester/England), Carlo Antonio Del Fava (Viadana), Simone Favaro (Parma), Quintin Geldenhuys (Viadana), Leonardo Ghiraldini (Treviso), Fabio Ongaro (Saracens), Sergio Parisse (Stade Francais/France – captain), Antonio Pavanello (Treviso), Salvatore Perugini (Bayonne/France), Ignacio Rouyet (Treviso), Josh Sole (Viadana), Alessandro Zanni (Treviso).

Backs:
Mirco Bergamasco (Stade Francais/France), Gonzalo Canale (Clermont/France), Gonzalo Garcia (Treviso), Craig Gower (Bayonne/France), Luke McLean (Treviso), Simon Picone (Treviso), Matteo Pratichetti (Viadana), Kaine Robertson (Viadana), Alberto Sgarbi (Treviso), Tito Tebaldi (Gran Parma).

Date: Saturday, November 21
Venue: Stadio Friuli, Udine
Kick-off: 15.00 (14.00 GMT; 16.00 SA time)
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Assistant referees: James Jones (Wales), Peter Allan (Scotland)
TMO: Hugh Watkins (Wales)