Five battles the Springboks must win to tame Italy in Turin

The Springboks must step up in key areas of the game if they want to outplay Italy in the third meeting this season between the two sides in Turin on Saturday.

While the Boks were comfortable winners in July earlier this year when they played in Pretoria and Gqeberha, they were tested by a second-string Italian outfit. Now, they will face a full-strength side at the Allianz Stadium (2.40pm kick-off).

We analyse five battle areas where the world champions will look to dominate the Azzurri.

The breakdown

This will arguably be the most important area against the plucky Italians, and they've made no secret of their ambitions to target the Boks in this department of the game.

They did brilliantly to disrupt the South Africans at the breakdown earlier this year, and with some key players returning, they will add firepower. The Springboks had a tough time against France, and Italy would've taken notice.

Captain Siya Kolisi and eighthman Marco van Staden must take the lead in this department to shut their opponents down.

The scrum

A new-look front row will have to front up to some experienced heads on the Italian side. With the Boks dominating the scrum in arguably all of their matches this year, Boan Venter, hooker Johan Grobbelaar and Zachary Porthen must step up.

This is one of the platforms the world champions love to attack from, but it is also a tool to get them out of trouble when they are under immense pressure.

They are up against some experienced opponents who all have over 30 international caps, so this will definitely not be a walk in the park for the South African scrum.

Leading the defence

There will be two new sheriffs in town in the midfield, and while supporters will froth at the mouth at what Ethan Hooker and Canan Moodie can do on the attack, it is their defensive organisation that will come under scrutiny.

Yes, they are two young and exciting ball players, but the Italian attack and how they play a fast game will be a massive stress test for the youngsters.

The lineout and rolling maul

South Africa’s lineout and rolling maul must fire cleanly on Saturday to show that they can back up the performance of the regular starts. This has been one of the strong aspects of the Bok game plan for the last season, and they will look to build on it with the young forwards.

Accuracy, cohesion and power will be vital against Italy’s contesting forwards, as front-foot ball and maul dominance can generate penalties and create the scoring chances the Boks need to control the Test.

Handré Pollard must spark the attack

He will be the general from the first whistle, and while his kicking game is rivalled by few, it is what the experienced flyhalf will bring his deadly backline on the attack that will matter on Saturday.

Pollard can calmly slot penalties through the poles from anywhere on the field when he is within striking distance, and judging by how the Boks went against France, they will take points when it is on offer.

But, the team have strike runners across the backline and it will be the task of Pollard to put them away. He has that ability, but must bring it to the party. If that happens, the Italians will be in deep trouble.