Former Bok star on why Italy will pose a serious threat in July double-header

Last month SA Rugby confirmed that the Springboks will kick off their 2025 Test campaign against Italy at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on July 5 before facing the Azzurri at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha seven days later, and the world champions will also play a Test against Georgia at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on July 19.

The Springboks will take on the Azzurri for the first time since 2013 while they last faced the Lelos in 2021 as part of their preparations for their three-Test series with the British and Irish Lions.

Under the guidance of head coach Gonzalo Quesada, Italy have become one of the most improved teams in the international arena and they currently occupy 10th position in World Rugby's official rankings.

Previously the whipping boys of the Six Nations, the Azzurri's game has been transformed since Quesada took over the coaching reins last year and they have avoided the wooden spoon in the famous championship in 2024 and 2025, beating bottom-placed Wales in both years.

Italy's game has come on in leaps and bounds in recent years with the Brex and Menoncello combination developing into one of the best centre partnerships in the Test arena.

The duo have cemented their positions in Quesada's first choice XV with Brex captaining his country on two occasions since last year - including their last Test against Ireland in the recent Six Nations - while Menoncello was crowned Six Nations Player of the Championship in 2024 and he has been nominated for the same award again this year.

Former Stormers and Wasps star De Jongh, who made 19 Test appearances for South Africa between 2009 and 2016, believes Brex and Menoncello will be influential in the series against the Boks and paid them a compliment by comparing them to two former All Blacks midfield legends.

"Those two guys, they remind me a little bit of the Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith combination," he said on the Behind the Ruck podcast. "It's very seldom you get guys that can work together as a centre combination.

"Because a lot of the time, either a 12 is good or a 13 is good and they look like they're a great combination.

"But to feed off each other with this option (of two) 12s, they're swapping in and out. Sometimes Brex is at 12, sometimes Menoncello is at 12.

"So there's a little bit of a threat there. But are they going to be good enough against the Springboks?"

Former Springboks outside back Gio Aplon agreed that Brex and Menoncello could be a threat against the world champions, but believes their performances will be determined by how the Azzurri's forwards fare against the Boks' pack and who starts against them in midfield for South Africa.

"It depends on the set-piece," he said. "I think you're going to start there.

"If they can't scrum and they can't stop the maul, it's going to be a long day at Loftus or wherever they're going to play.

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