Looks like Italy's rugby chief, Gonzalo Quesada, smells blood in the water and is gearing up to give the Springboks a run for their money in the upcoming second Test at Gqeberha. With an eye on beefing up his squad, Quesada has roped in the untested yet promising hooker Giampietro Ribaldi from Zebre Parma into the Azzurri fold. The newbie is set to hit the ground running in training sessions this week.
Ribaldi isn't just any fresh face; this 6-foot-one powerhouse has been battering down the selection door since 2021 with his stints at Italy ‘A’ and Emerging Italy. His recent exploits in the 2024/2025 Vodacom United Rugby Championship season have only added sheen to his burgeoning resume. Italy, however, is still licking its wounds after a 42-24 mauling by South Africa at Loftus Versfeld, despite kicking off their tour with a win against Namibia in Windhoek.
"We challenged the Boks"
Quesada, while praising his team's grit, knows full well the kind of backlash to expect from the Boks come Saturday. "We know their level will rise significantly. They’re not happy with this game and will want to improve. But we also have room to grow and will take confidence from this," he stated post-Loftus clash.
While the Italian squad is buzzing with the new addition and a determined spirit, there remains a cloud of uncertainty over No 8 Lorenzo Cannone, who was carted off the Loftus turf last Saturday with what looked like a serious back injury. Quesada has yet to provide any updates on Cannone's condition, leaving fans and teammates biting their nails in anticipation.
As the clock ticks down to the weekend showdown, all eyes will be on how this rejigged Italian lineup fares against a wounded but ever-dangerous Springbok squad. Will the new blood catalyze an Azzurri resurgence, or will the Boks trample their hopes under the high stakes of Test rugby? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure – it's going to be a cracker of a match!