The top-ranked teams from the southern and northern hemisphere will meet in the final match of the inaugural competition on Sunday, 29 November in an exciting Finals Weekend, and Willemse said a good result against Italy was the first step if the Boks wanted to remain in the race to lift the trophy at the Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, in just over three weeks’ time.
“We are trying to play for a cup in a few weeks’ time, but the most important week is this week,” said Willemse.
“If we lose this weekend, I think we’ll be out of the race to be in the final, so we are not looking too far ahead. Our focus now is to make sure we follow through with the plan the coaching staff have mapped out for us, and then Saturday’s result against Italy.”
The Bok fullback, who will earn his 56th Test cap when he takes the field, added: “It’s not going to be an easy game. They are a strong and well-coached side, and they’ll come up with good plans. So, we’ve got to stay dialled in and make sure we don’t lose our focus.
“We saw last year when we played against them how dangerous they are. They have quite a few injuries, but there are still a couple of guys in their set-up who are key players for them.”
Asked about the [settled team Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus selected](https://springboks.rugby/news-features/articles/2026/11/2/erasmus-names-quality-lineup-to-face-italy-in-nations-championship) for the clash, Willemse said: “I believe it’s the right team and the right personnel for what Italy are going to bring this weekend, after doing some analysis on them. Everyone is feeling confident, and there aren’t a lot of changes in the team.
“So, we’re just looking forward to getting onto the field on Saturday and hopefully getting off to a great start and picking up where we left off in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry [against New Zealand].”
Nortje, who will start in the second row alongside Salmaan Moerat, was thrilled to partner up with his former Junior Springbok teammate.
“Salmaan and I go back to 2017,” he said. “We’re from the same age group and we played together for the Junior Boks, so every time I get to play with him, it’s a real honour.
“I’ve looked up to him since I saw him play for Paarl Boys’ High as a schoolboy, and I’m really excited to join up with him again. He deserves a lot of credit for what he’s been through with his injuries, and he always fights his way back into the squad, so I’m very glad for him and excited to join up with him.”
The hard-working Bok lock expected an equally testing encounter against Italy on Saturday, and said: “I wouldn’t say we underestimated Italy in last year’s game in Pretoria because it was the first game of the year for us, but it certainly showed that it doesn’t matter which Italian team is on the field, they will always bring a lot of passion, and it’s never easy against them.
“For us the important things are to match their intensity, pitch up on the day, and to stick to our structures and what we want to do.”
The Boks wrapped up their main training block of the week on Wednesday, and will have Thursday off to recover and switch into match mode, before completing their preparations for the match at Friday’s captains run.
The Turin Test kicks off at 13h40 (SA time) and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Source: Original report at SA Rugby.
