Italy rugby team
Rugby shake-up goes on with new Autumn Nations Cup
An eight-team event will feature Europe's leading six nations as well as Fiji and Georgia, who came in after Japan withdrew because of travel restrictions.
Both teams are looking for their first win of the tournament after two defeats apiece, with the loser likely to end up with the wooden spoon this campaign.
A thumping win for defending Grand Slam champions Wales over Italy, Ireland grinding out a victory over Scotland, and France pulling the punches in defeating England.
The threat of extreme weather ahead of Typhoon Hagibis has led to the cancellation of two weekend games at the Rugby World Cup.
South Africa kept their hopes moving into the next round of the Rugby World Cup well in hand with a 49-3 win over Italy.
The Springboks and Italy have played each other 14 times over the years with the Italians winning just once. That win came in 2016 when the Boks went down 20-18 in Florence.
Springboks forwards coach Matt Proudfoot says the team has got a massive job on the weekend when they take on Italy at the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
The Italians had dominated much of the play in the first half with their forwards providing a stable base to attack and create space.
The Italians have been drawn with world champions New Zealand, twice former champions the Springboks, Namibia and Canada for the opening stage of the 20 September 2 November tournament.
Giant lock Eben Etzebeth was forced off in the final stages of Saturday’s victory over France in Paris after receiving a blow to his lower leg.
Italy coach Conor O’Shea announced on Tuesday he was leaving captain Sergio Parisse out of a 31-man squad for this year’s summer tour.