Springboks' respect for gutsy Italy

Published on Friday 20 November 2009 22:53

WORLD champions South Africa will not underestimate Italy when the two sides meet in today's Test in Udine.

The Azzurri lost 20-6 to New Zealand last weekend but displayed a battling performance against the All Blacks.

Springboks coach Peter de Villiers, who was an assistant to Italy coach Nick Mallett, when the latter coached the current world champions, said: "The biggest lesson that anyone can learn from that game is the gentle way the Italians are growing in this game, they will pose a threat to the rest of the world come 2011.

"This Italian team is really good at doing certain things, especially come scrum time, mauling and lineout time."

Meanwhile, France flanker Julien Bonnaire has warned his team-mates not to underestimate Samoa at the Stade de France today.

Les Bleus host the South Sea Islanders in the second Autumn Test full of confidence following a superb victory over South Africa.

However, Bonnaire has urged his side not to feel they can let their game drop against Samoa, who slipped to a narrow defeat in Wales last week.

"At the end of the day we're facing it like any other game," he said. "As usual, we have to be performing to succeed in imposing ourselves.

"But it is a match to take seriously, we saw what they did against the Welsh. For us, it is about continuing to put our game out there.

"It matters little what team you are up against, we have to manage to be consistent and impose our game."