Mbonambi: We know how important this game is

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Springboks hooker Bongi Mbonambi opens up about the challenges posed by the Italian pack, while prop Frans Malherbe offers insight into the communication between front rankers and referees.

READ: Boks bench split may cause injury headache

COACH RASSIE: Players must set the tone

Beast Mtawarira joins Mbonambi in the starting XV as the Boks finalise preparations for their crucial World Cup clash with Italy in Shizuoka on Friday.

The two, along with lock Lood de Jager, have been promoted to the starting lineup with three changes to the side that faced the All Blacks in the World Cup opener.

Mtawarira and Mbonambi leapfrog Steven Kitshoff and Malcolm Marx, who both drop to the bench, while De Jager takes Franco Mostert’s place and forms the second-row combination with Eben Etzebeth.

The backline from the New Zealand defeat remains unchanged.

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SA Rugby magazine