6 November 2026
Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada says facing the back-to-back world champion Springboks is an incredible challenge for his side. The Azzurri host South Africa at the Allianz Stadium on Saturday afternoon in Round Four of the Nations Championship.
Gonzalo Quesada believes the visitors represent the ultimate test in world rugby. “There are no obvious flaws in their game,” Quesada remarked during his pre-match press interaction.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus opted against squad rotation, naming his strongest possible starting line-up for the Turin fixture. Quesada viewed the selection of South Africa's best players as a massive compliment to his evolving Italian team.
“To see Rassie respecting us so much by putting his best team on paper is incredible,” said Quesada. “Knowing that he has selected his best team, the best players in the world, the best South African team to face us, is a big sign of respect. It means a lot that he respects us.”
The selection luxury stands in stark contrast to Italy's current personnel crisis, with over 15 frontline players ruled out through injury. Despite the disrupted preparations, the coach expects the fixture to act as an immediate gauge of squad depth.
“Some players have been out of the team for a couple of years,” Quesada explained. “It will be a test of our character. We’ll see how we respond to this.”
The Springbok clash marks the beginning of an unprecedentedly gruelling autumn schedule for Italy, who must navigate four consecutive weekends of high-stakes rugby against superior, top-10 opposition.
“We also have to play three other games after this, so four in a row against top-10 teams who are all ranked higher than us,” Quesada noted. “It’s the biggest challenge that Italian rugby has ever had. No national team have ever had this challenge.”
The physical demands of facing a relentless South African pack and their feared bench configurations remain a focal point for the hosts. Quesada is confident his reshuffled matchday squad understands the baseline requirements for Saturday's set-piece battle.
“The players are ready for this high-intensity, physical challenge that South Africa will try to impose,” he concluded.