Rugby betting tips: South Africa vs Italy predictions, preview and best bets for rugby union clash

Saturday afternoon in Gqeberha sets the stage for another intriguing Test match as South Africa welcome Italy to the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. The world champions will aim to wrap up their July series with a second consecutive win over the Azzurri, while the visitors arrive seeking to avoid a clean sweep after a promising second-half performance in Pretoria last weekend. Read on to find a detailed outright preview and top betting recommendations.

Rugby betting tips: South Africa vs Italy Predictions for rugby union

Can Italy’s Spirit Disrupt South Africa’s Power Game in Gqeberha?

• South Africa have introduced 12 new starters to their XV following the 42-24 win last weekend.
• Italy’s Tommaso Menoncello and Springbok wingers Mapimpi and van der Merwe all start in the back three.
• Manuel Zuliani completed multiple turnovers and scored a try in a standout performance during the first Test.

Our Best Bet

Having already shown their class against the Barbarians, South Africa continued their summer success with a 42-24 win over Italy at Loftus Versfeld. It was a match that saw the Springboks dominate early, led by Jesse Kriel’s well-timed opener and two tries from Morne van den Berg. Vincent Koch added his name to the scoresheet after the interval, but the Springboks were made to work harder than expected. Italy, trailing heavily at half-time, refused to roll over and mounted a spirited response that included tries from Pablo Dimcheff, Niccolo Cannone, and a standout display from Manuel Zuliani. The flanker was tireless at the breakdown and instrumental in halting South Africa’s usual second-half surge.

The Springboks have made sweeping adjustments to their squad for the second encounter, rotating 12 of their starters. Among those retained are Willie le Roux, who is set to reach a century of caps, along with Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Marco van Staden, and Jasper Wiese. In the backline, Grant Williams returns at scrum-half, pairing with Manie Libbok, while Andre Esterhuizen and Canan Moodie form a powerful centre combination. Out wide, Edwill van der Merwe lines up opposite the ever-dangerous Makazole Mapimpi, both of whom will look to test Italy’s reshuffled defence.

Italy, meanwhile, make five changes of their own, most notably handing a first start to full-back Mirko Belloni. Jacopo Trulla and Louis Lynagh retain their places on the wings, with Marco Zanon and Tommaso Menoncello providing midfield stability. The half-back pairing of Alessandro Garbisi and Giacomo Da Re remains unchanged. In the forward pack, Ross Vintcent steps in at number eight, while Zuliani continues after his impactful showing in the opener.

Although Italy were heavily down at the break in the first Test, their second-half performance offered genuine positives. They disrupted South Africa’s rhythm at the breakdown and managed to finish strongly. Still, with a world-class front row and bench options including Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Ox Nche, the Springboks remain formidable. Yet Italy’s willingness to contest every phase, even with a relatively inexperienced squad, should not be underestimated.

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Best Bet for Today: Makazole Mapimpi, Edwill van der Merwe & Tommaso Menoncello All To Score A Try

At BettingTips4You, we provide just one carefully selected betting recommendation per fixture to ensure our readers receive the most valuable insight with no ambiguity. Today’s top selection combines three players who are primed to make their mark: Makazole Mapimpi, Edwill van der Merwe and Tommaso Menoncello all to score a try at 6/1.

Mapimpi returns to the Springbok XV and brings with him a clinical edge that has defined his career. He benefits greatly from the structured patterns executed by South Africa’s playmakers and is often the final piece in multi-phase attacking moves. With Libbok pulling the strings at ten and Esterhuizen providing a crash-ball presence in midfield, Mapimpi should get clean looks on the edge.

Van der Merwe has earned his spot through consistent form and looked sharp when introduced last week. His acceleration and awareness in broken play could prove decisive against Italy’s backline, which lacks the same cohesion as the Springboks’ back three. On the opposite side, Menoncello offers Italy a powerful strike option. He is strong over the ball, runs intelligent lines and often positions himself well to finish chances. With South Africa likely to dominate territory, Italy may have to hit back on the counter or off turnover ball—situations in which Menoncello thrives.

The combination of two lethal Springbok wingers and Italy’s most dangerous backline asset creates an excellent mix for this tryscorer treble at rewarding odds.

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