Former Stormers scrumhalf Dewaldt Duvenage expects the Springbok pack to dominate the forward exchanges against Italy at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Duvenage, who spent six years with Benetton – the club that supplies the bulk of Italy’s Test players – says the Azzurri’s struggles up front will limit their attacking threats.
“I doubt whether Italy will get good possession from the set pieces,” the 37-year-old told Netwerk24. “That complicates things, because then you take their midfielders – who could have produced a bit of magic – out of the game.
“They may be able to hold on in the first half, but with the match being played on the Highveld, I can’t see Italy staying in the second half.”
TEAM: Bishops boy to face Boks
Italy have been dealt a blow with injuries to starting hooker and captain Giacomo Nicotera and flanker Sebastian Negri. Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, who has just one cap, starts in the No 2 jersey, while Lorenzo Cannone, Manuel Zuliani and Alessandro Izekor form a mobile back row.
“Zuliani is an up-and-coming guy and very good,” said Duvenage, who will coach the Western Province backline in this year’s Currie Cup. “Izekor is very athletic and scored a few good tries in the wide channels for Benetton.
“It will be a nice challenge, but I don’t think the Boks will allow them to play loose.”
While Duvenage sees potential in the midfield pairing of Alessandro Fusco and Giacomo Da Re, and Italy’s back three of Jacopo Trulla, Louis Lynagh and Simone Gesi, he believes they won’t find much joy against the Boks’ powerful defence.
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
