Erasmus Applauds Italy’s Resilience in Pretoria Win: Springboks Coach Reflects on a Hard-Fought Test

Erasmus Applauds Italy’s Resilience in Pretoria Win: Springboks Coach Reflects on a Hard-Fought Test

South Africa’s 42–24 victory over Italy in Pretoria may have secured a much-needed win for the Springboks, but head coach Rassie Erasmus was quick to shift the post-match narrative away from celebration and toward honest reflection. Speaking after the match at Loftus Versfeld, Erasmus praised Italy’s fighting spirit and resilience, acknowledging that the visitors made the world champions work far harder than expected.

Despite the relatively comfortable scoreline, Erasmus admitted that the match was anything but smooth sailing. The Italians, ranked 14th in the world, refused to be intimidated by South Africa’s physical dominance or pedigree. Instead, they took the game to the Boks in the second half, outscoring them and exposing defensive lapses that the Springboks coaching team will no doubt address ahead of the second Test.

Italy’s Character Impresses Erasmus

“What impressed me most about Italy was their ability to stay in the fight,” Erasmus said in his post-match remarks. “We put them under pressure early on, but they never gave up. They fought for every inch, and that kind of resilience is what makes them such a dangerous team.”

The Springboks stormed to a 28–5 lead in the first half, appearing to have total control of the Test. With power plays from the forwards and slick passing from the backline, South Africa dominated possession and territory. However, Italy returned from the break with renewed purpose, taking advantage of Springbok errors and capitalizing on quick ball movement and strong attacking lines.

“They played with a lot of heart and were very well-coached,” Erasmus added. “Their second half was full of intent, and they caught us sleeping a bit. It’s a great reminder that no Test match can be taken for granted.”

Springbok Mistakes: A Learning Curve

Erasmus was also transparent about the Springboks’ shortcomings, stating that although the result was positive, the performance was far from perfect. He highlighted the number of unforced errors, missed tackles, and ill-discipline that allowed Italy to remain competitive.

“We made countless errors,” he said. “Handling mistakes, breakdown infringements, lapses in communication—you name it. The good news is that these are fixable. But we’ll need to work hard this week to clean up those areas.”

He also expressed concern about the Bomb Squad’s underwhelming impact. The replacement front row and loose forwards—traditionally a strength for South Africa—failed to assert the same dominance they have in past matches, giving Italy momentum late in the game.

Italy’s Growing Reputation

Italy’s recent improvements under coach Gonzalo Quesada have not gone unnoticed. Despite years of being labeled underdogs in the Six Nations and other international contests, the Azzurri are beginning to develop a more consistent and threatening style of play. Their performance in Pretoria added further evidence to the notion that Italy is no longer just a team that can upset—they are one that can compete.

“They’re a very different Italy side now,” Erasmus admitted. “More structured, fitter, and more confident. If they keep developing this way, they’re going to be a real handful for any Tier 1 nation.”

Looking Ahead: Gqeberha Test Awaits

The Springboks will now travel to Gqeberha for the second Test against Italy, scheduled for the following weekend. Erasmus has hinted that changes could be made to the matchday squad, with emphasis on tightening defensive structure and improving game management.

For South African rugby fans, the result in Pretoria was satisfying but sobering. It served as a reminder that even the most decorated teams can be tested when focus slips, and it highlighted the rising quality of nations like Italy.

Erasmus’s praise for Italy’s grit and refusal to back down sends a strong message: the global rugby landscape is shifting, and the Springboks, like all elite teams, must continue evolving.