This archive report was first published on 2 October 2019.
Published on October 2, 2019, South Africa's Rugby World Cup campaign is at a crossroads as they prepare to face Italy in a must-win Pool B clash on Friday.
The Springboks, led by coach Rassie Erasmus, are under immense pressure to deliver a win after their opening loss to New Zealand and a narrow victory over Namibia.
Erasmus acknowledged the team's nerves, stating, "We've been preparing for 20 or 21 Test matches and it is do-or-die now."
Italy, on the other hand, is seen as the underdog, but coach Conor O'Shea is confident that his team can cause an upset. "The pressure is firmly on South Africa, they are expected to win the World Cup," he said.
Erasmus believes the key to victory lies in the forwards, while O'Shea emphasizes the importance of physicality in the match. "If you don’t front up physically against them, you’ve already lost the match," he warned.
The two teams have a history of close matches, with South Africa losing to Italy in 2016. However, much has changed since then, and both teams are eager to prove themselves.
