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Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada is in no doubt what awaits his side when they take on South Africa in Pretoria on Saturday.
The Azzurri face the world champions at Loftus Versfeld and Quesada has named a side that mixes experienced faces with callow youngsters.
The Argentine has picked three test debutants in his squad - Pablo Dimcheff, Matteo Canali, and David Odiase - and chosen a bench line-up that reflects the Springboks forward pack that is at near strength.
Second row Niccolò Cannone captains the side on his 54th cap. Prop Simone Ferrari is the most capped player with 64 caps.
The backline holds 92 caps, though 29 of those belong to centre Tommaso Menoncello.
FACING THE BOMB SQUAD
“We're forced to play 6+2 to face them: we can't afford to have one less forward,” Quesada said. “We counted the caps. There are 388 Italian caps against their 1204.
“For this group it's an incredible opportunity, playing at the home of the world’s best side and against a top-level team. The fact that they are fielding such a strong formation shows the respect that South Africa has for us.
“We could find many adjectives for South Africa, but the reality is that there is no greater challenge than this: it is the most difficult match that the boys have ever faced, it is the toughest challenge that exists.”
Italy go into the match – their first of two tests in South Africa – off the back off an 11-try, 73-6 victory over Namibia last weekend.
AWAITING THE STORM
It was their second win of the year after they beat Wales in the Six Nations.
The Azzurri recorded their only success against South Africa in 20-16 and have lost the last three encounters, most recently in 2022.
“Our goal is to compete at our best against them and finish the match with our heads held high,” Quesada said. “We know what type of match we want to play and how we can put them under pressure.
“I didn’t need to pump up the boys, because their motivation is already very high and they are all aware of the great test that awaits them and the storm that we will have to face.”
South Africa Starting XV (1-15) Ox Nche, Malcolm Marx, Wilco Louw, Eben Etzebeth, Lood de Jager, Marco van Staden, Vincent Tshituka, Jasper Wiese, Morne van den Berg, Handre Pollard, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Damian de Allende, Jesse Kriel, Cheslin Kolbe, Damian Willemse
South Africa Replacements (16-23) Bongi Mbonambi, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith, Faf de Klerk, Willie Le Roux
