Italy face the ultimate test against reigning world champions South Africa on Saturday in the Nations Championship.
The Azzurri welcome the Springboks to the Allianz Stadium in Turin this weekend but the hosts find themselves in a bad place going into this mighty challenge.
Currently on a four-game losing streak and missing some of their big names due to injury, a long 80 minutes might well be in store for the Italians at the foot of the Alps.
Italy v South Africa Tips Summary
Best Bet - South Africa -28.5 handicap @ 1/1
Alternative Bet - Jesse Kriel anytime tryscorer @ 11/10
Bet Builder - Malcolm Marx, Kurt-Lee Arendse & Ethan Hooker anytime tryscorers @ 3/1
Italy v South Africa Prediction
Best Bet: South Africa -28.5 handicap @ 1/1
Italy had been building some momentum in recent years, especially with some high-profile scalps in the Six Nations.
However, the Azzurri’s progression graph has hit an unwelcome downturn, following defeats in all of their last four outings against Wales, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.
Next the Italians host a South Africa side who will still be reeling from their 42-38 defeat on Australian soil against the Wallabies in their last outing.
It’s hardly time to press the panic button for the Boks, who have managed to win 16 of their last 18 Test matches.
Having won all of their previous games against Italy and with the Azzurri conceding 104 points in their last two games against Australia and New Zealand, the Springboks are fancied to cover the handicap.
Alternative Bet: Jesse Kriel anytime tryscorer @ 11/10
In outstanding form right now for the Springboks, it’s hard to look past Jesse Kriel getting on the scoresheet on Saturday at Allianz Stadium.
The Yokohama Canon Eagles centre has already scored three tries in three appearances in the Nations Championship.
Coming up against an Italian side who will greatly miss their star centre duo of Tommaso Menoncello and Juan Ignacio Brex due to injury, Kriel in the No.13 jersey will be a tough man to stop this weekend.
Italy v South Africa Bet Builder Tip
Malcolm Marx anytime tryscorer
Kurt-Lee Arendse anytime tryscorer
Ethan Hooker anytime tryscorer
Pays 3/1
In what is expected to be a one-sided affair at Allianz Stadium, three more players have been selected in the anytime tryscorer market for this 3/1 Bet Builder.
Hooker Malcolm Marx has already scored in this Nations Championship campaign against England and he is fancied to power over from close range on Saturday.
Kurt-Lee Arendse also scored against England and Wales in his two previous appearances in this competition and is backed to do likewise against Italy, as is fellow winger Ethan Hooker.
Hooker has two Test tries to his name and the 23-year-old can add to his tally against this fragile Azzurri defence.
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Key Match Stats
Italy are currently on a four-game losing streak going into this Test match, following defeats to Wales, Japan, New Zealand and Australia
South Africa are looking to bounce back from a 42-38 loss to Australia in their last outing
The Springboks have won 16 of their last 18 Test matches
South Africa have won all of their previous five meetings with Italy
Italy have scored an average of only 12.4 points per game against South Africa
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
