Mbonambi warns of brutal forward battle

IT’S almost a given that most South Africans expect the Springboks to comfortably dispatch of Italy at Loftus Versfeld this weekend.

- MORGAN BOLTON

After all, in 16 previous encounters, Italy have beaten the Boks just once — a narrow 20-18 win in Florence back in 2016. A quick glance at the matchday 23 selected by Bok mentor Rassie Erasmus has only reinforced that conviction. It is a powerful unit, one with the potential to dismantle any opposition.

Nonetheless, Bok hooker Bongi Mbonambi — named on the bench for Saturday's Test (kick-off 5pm) — has advised caution, as the 34-year-old believes a brutal battle up front is brewing. And the stats support his concern.

During the Six Nations earlier this year, the Azzurri lost only two of their scrums, boasting a 93% success rate. At the other set-piece — the line-out — they achieved a 90% success rate, winning 63 throw-ins and losing only seven. At ruck time, meanwhile, they retained 96% of possession at the contact point.

It all points to a team confident in their structure, according to Mbonambi.