The Springboks currently sit top of the World Rugby rankings, while Italy are 10th, but Hooker insists the focus is on performance rather than position.

He says the team hasn’t paid attention to rankings or to the fact that Italy’s only win in 18 Tests against South Africa came back in 2016.

"I think world rankings are really meaningless, it's all about on the day how teams pitch, I mean they pitch during the week and stuff like that so we don't really look at where they position in the world,” Hooker said.

“We know they have beaten us before, I think they are just another team coming out here to give their best against us and we'll match them and be better than that if we are gonna come out with a win."

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Italy head into the clash full of belief after a historic win over Australia in their previous outing and will be determined to build on that momentum.

Hooker says that result will give the Azzurri confidence, especially as they return home after losing both July Tests against South Africa earlier this year.

"I think they gonna huge confidence for that, Australia are a very quality team so I think to go out there and beat Australia is gonna give them lots of confidence and energy and they are gonna use the good things they took out from that game and I think they're gonna use it against us," he added.

The young Sharks backline star made his Springbok debut against Italy in Port Elizabeth earlier this year, coming off the bench in a 45–0 victory at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

South Africa won again in Castle Lager Incoming Series 42–24 at Loftus Versfeld.

Hooker says the Italians will be a different challenge in their own backyard, where the crowd and conditions could level the playing field.

"Italy are always a tough team and I've never played them at home but I can imagine at home they would be just a different monster. The team is not finalised yet but if I had to run on that field, I would make my debut against them so it will be a very special game, almost like a home coming for me in a way."

Local Start Time Venue	16 Feb at 09:30 AM
Local Time	16 Feb at 04:00 AM
Toss	Puducherry won the toss and chose to field
Country	India
City	Puducherry
Venue	Cricket Association Puducherry Siechem Ground
Established	0000
Result	Puducherry won by an inning and 63 runs

Finished Ranji Trophy