2 November 2026
Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada has sparked selection debates ahead of Saturday’s Nations Championship Test against the Springboks, naming Argentina-born Montpellier flyhalf Domingo Miotti in the squad to face the Springboks on Saturday.
The 30-year-old playmaker qualifies through an Italian grandfather and last represented Argentina in July 2022, meeting World Rugby’s eligibility criteria. Quesada confirmed that initial contact with Miotti began three years ago, with the flyhalf choosing the Azzurri shirt despite holding dual-nation options.
Miotti adds invaluable tactical maturity to a flyhalf stable already featuring Paolo Garbisi, Tommaso Allan, and Leonardo Marin. This playmaker depth gives Quesada multiple strategic options to direct play against the back-to-back world champions
Miotti’s inclusion can be seen as a direct attempt to bolster tactical kicking options against South Africa's suffocating defensive system. However, operating against the Springbok rush defence requires rapid distribution under extreme pressure, testing whether a newly integrated pivot can find his rhythm in time.
The Azzurri retain genuine cutting-edge threats out wide, with lethal counter-attackers like Ange Capuozzo and Monty Ioane capable of exploiting transition play. Despite this strike power, the loss of star centre Tommaso Menoncello to a shoulder injury drastically weakens Italy's midfield channel, stripping them of a critical defensive organiser needed to stop direct South African runners.
Italy’s loose trio remains highly competitive, anchored by Lorenzo Cannone, Ross Vintcent, and Manuel Zuliani. This high-work-rate back row is built for heavy defensive shifts and contesting the breakdown, though they face an immense physical battle against a brutal Bok pack.
The primary concern rests in Italy's front-row and lock depth. While the starting unit can hold their own, the drop-off in elite international experience on the bench leaves Italy highly vulnerable to standard scrum dominance when the Springbok "Bomb Squad" enters the fray.
Italy also host Argentina and Fiji this month, before the finals weekend at Twickenham.
“One of the greatest challenges in the history of Italian rugby awaits us: four consecutive matches against four of the best teams in the world,” Quesada said.
“I have complete confidence in the players available. I’m confident that every player will seize this opportunity to demonstrate their value and the team’s character.”
Italy squad
Forwards: Simone Ferrari, Danilo Fishetti, Muhamed Hasa, Ion Neculai, Ivan Nemer, Giosuè Zilocchi, Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Giacomo Nicotera, Niccolò Cannone, Mattia Midena, Enoch Opoku Gyamfi, Federico Ruzza, Lorenzo Cannone, Samuele Locatelli, Alessandro Ortombina, Ross Vintcent, Manuel Zuliani.
Backs: Alessandro Garbisi, Alessandro Fusco, Stephen Varney, Tommaso Allan, Paolo Garbisi, Domingo Miotti, Leonardo Marin, Damiano Mazza, Federico Mori, Paolo Odogwu, Mirko Belloni, Ange Capuozzo, Matt Gallagher, Monty Ioane, Federico Zanandrea.
Invited players: Lorenzo Pani, Jaheim Noel Wilson.
