Live match updates: Springboks v Italy
Join us for live updates as it happens in the Springboks' third Pool B match at the Rugby World Cup, against Italy from Skizuoka, Japan.

Record-breaker Parisse back for Italy to face Boks
Sergio Parisse returns to lead the Azzurri at No 8 and will play in his 15th Rugby World Cup match - becoming Italy's record RWC appearance maker.

Van Straaten: Kings need to learn to close games out
Isuzu Southern Kings defence coach Braam van Straaten believes his side have the ability to make a big impact in this year’s Guinness PRO14 , but they will need to learn to close out games first.

Sleepless in Shizuoka for Nienaber
Springbok defence coach Jacques Nienaber admitted the Italian coaching brains trust had been causing him to lose sleep as he looked forward to Friday night’s potential Pool B decider.

North/South showdown in U19 Provincial Final
The South African domestic season will conclude in Cape Town on Saturday with a massive North/South showdown in the final of the SA Rugby Under-19 Championship.

Rasivhenge on Guinness PRO14 debut with the whistle
South African referee Rasta Rasivhenge will take charge of his first Guinness PRO14 match in Galway on Saturday, when Connacht and Benetton will go head-to-head in round two of the northern hemisphere showpiece.

Myners: Springbok Women determined to improve
Springbok Women’s assistant coach Eddie Myners said on Wednesday the team learned valuable lessons in their first Test against Scotland and were determined to deliver a much better performance when the sides meet again at the City Park Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday.

Pack trio wins starting call-up for Boks’ must-win clash
Front rowers Tendai Mtawarira and Bongi Mbonambi, as well as Lood de Jager (lock) have been promoted to the Springboks’ ‘senior’ starting pack for Friday’s must-win Rugby World Cup clash with Italy in Shizuoka.

Erasmus: Boks can expect “major forward battle”
Rassie Erasmus, SA Rugby’s director of rugby, has warned the Springboks to expect a massive challenge from the Italian pack when they clash in a Rugby World Cup Pool B match in Shizuoka on Friday.

Facts and Stats: Springboks v Italy
Friday’s Test match between South Africa and Italy will be the 15th, but the first in a Rugby World Cup. The first Test match between Italy, also known as the Azzurri, and South Africa took place on the two-match year-end tour in 1995.