Is this really a defeat if it feels like a victory? That's the vibe Italian coach Gonzalo Quesada was radiating after his squad nearly turned the tables on the reigning world champs, the Springboks, at Loftus Versfeld. Despite the scoreboard reading 42-24 in favor of South Africa, the Azzurri left the field with heads held high, their performance hinting at a brighter future.
Quesada was all praises, spotlighting his team's tenacity and evolution throughout the game. "Our goal for this tour was to win in Namibia, challenge these Springboks, and develop depth for the future," he explained, clearly satisfied with the strides made.
"In that sense, this match was very positive."
Italy's rally post-halftime was particularly noteworthy, matching up physically and even pulling off a maul score against the formidable Boks."We didn’t concede any tries from mauls, and we even scored one ourselves. That’s a huge positive," Quesada added. He was acutely aware of the uphill battle his team faced, considering the opponent and the venue: "I know how hard it was to prepare for this match, who we were up against, and where we played. I don’t forget any of that. I give a lot of value to this performance."
The only blip in Italy's otherwise commendable outing was an injury to No 8 Lorenzo Cannone, who suffered a back injury and is pending further assessment. Meanwhile, Quesada is bracing for a tough rematch in Gqeberha, anticipating a fierce response from the Springboks. "We know their level will rise significantly next week. 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."
Acting captain Niccolò Cannone echoed his coach's sentiments, proud of the passion and pride displayed by the team. "I told the boys to play for someone important in their life," he shared, proud of his role as captain. With a blend of heart and strategy, the team is setting their sights on the next clash.
As they regroup and refocus, the Italian squad's performance at Loftus Versfeld may not have been a win in the traditional sense, but it certainly was a statement. Can they turn the tide in the upcoming games? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: Italy is not going down without a fight.