Ethan Hooker expecting tough game against 'extremely physical' Italy side

South Africa has already beaten Italy twice in 2025 during the Castle Lager Incoming Series, 42-24 at Loftus Versveld and the 45-0 drubbing at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Italy have only beaten the Springboks once in 18 Tests between the two nations, back in 2016, but Hooker is not expecting this weekend's Test to be an easy game.

The Azzurri are going into the match on a high and full of confidence after beating Australia last time out and will be backing themselves to score another upset against the Springboks.

"They are always a tough team - I've never faced them at home, but I can imagine they'd be a different monster over here," said Hooker.

"Our team is not finalised yet, but if I were to play against them, it would be a very special game because I made my debut against them, so it would almost be a homecoming for me in a way.

"They have very good backs who are extremely physical, and they have great playmakers, so I think it would be a perfect test for us.

"The keys for us will be to front up physically, take whatever comes our way, stick to our structures, and then just perform as well as we can.

"They'll take huge confidence from last week because the Wallabies are a quality team. They'll definitely take the things they learned from that game and try to use it against us as well."

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