1. South Africa have won 15 of the 16 Tests between the countries at home, away and in a neutral venue. The biggest victory for the Springboks was 101-0 in Durban 26 years ago, but in 2016 they suffered one of the darkest days in their history when losing 20-18 to Italy in Florence.
2. Assuming he comes off the bench, South Africa utility back Willie le Roux will win his 99th cap. He will then need to make one more appearance to become only the eighth Springbok centurion. Current lock Eben Etzebeth has been capped a record 131 times.
3. Italy will face vastly experienced Springbok opponents in Pretoria. The combined backline caps are 351, led by inside centre Damian de Allende with 87. Centurion Etzebeth helps push the number of caps among the forwards to 377. The eight replacements total 466 appearances between them.
4. Damian Willemse returns to the team at full-back after injuries and a suspension prevented him lining up with the Springboks since the 2023 World Cup final triumph over arch rivals New Zealand in Paris. He and Aphelele Fassi are the leading contenders for the number 15 shirt.
5. Pretoria will be the sixth venue in South Africa where Italy face the Springboks after Gqeberha, Durban (twice each), Cape Town, eMalahleni and East London. Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria is home to both the Bulls rugby team and the Mamelodi Sundowns football club.
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