It wasn’t plain sailing: Springboks have opened the 2025 season with a victory in Pretoria

It was far from a walk in the park, but the Springboks launched their 2025 international season with a 42–24 victory over a spirited Italian side at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday. Despite the final scoreline, South Africa were given a second-half wake-up call after initially racing to a commanding halftime lead.

The Springboks came out firing, with Morne van den Berg grabbing two tries in the opening half-hour. Handré Pollard was clinical with the boot, converting all five of his first-half kicks. The hosts were up 28–3 at the break and looked to be cruising to a comfortable win.

However, Italy came roaring back in the second half. A debut try from Pablo Dimcheff and a powerful finish from Niccolò Cannone gave the Azzurri real momentum. Suddenly, the gap narrowed to just 11 points midway through the second half, and the Pretoria crowd grew tense as Italy threatened to pull off a shock comeback.

But just when it seemed the visitors might claw their way back into the contest, Marco van Staden powered over the line to calm nerves and restore South Africa’s control of the game. That late try sealed the result and ensured a successful, if somewhat unsteady, start to the new campaign.

While Van den Berg impressed with his early brace, it was a full-squad effort that got the Springboks over the line. Jasper Wiese was a standout at the breakdown, delivering a performance full of grit and energy. Vincent Tshituka, making his debut, also had bright moments, although a potential first try was denied for offside.

For Italy, the performance—particularly in the second half—will offer encouragement. Their willingness to attack and pressure the Boks defensively shows the growth of the squad under new leadership. Coming off a massive win over Namibia the week before, they proved they can compete with the top-tier teams.

The Springboks will now turn their attention to the second test against Italy, set for July 12 in Gqeberha. With several uncapped players still waiting in the wings, coach Rassie Erasmus may look to rotate his squad as he continues to build depth ahead of the Rugby Championship.

It wasn’t a perfect performance, but the Springboks showed just enough to start the 2025 season on a high—while Italy made it clear they’re no longer pushovers.

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