An upbeat Italy have made two changes to their starting line-up for their autumn international clash with South Africa in Genoa, with prop Pietro Ceccarelli and hooker Giacomo Nicotera coming into the front row.
Italy's Kiwi coach Kieran Crowley has otherwise resisted changes from the side that stunned Australia with a 28-27 win in Florence last weekend.
The Springboks have narrowly lost both their autumn series games against Ireland and France.
Livewire fullback Ange Capuozzo will again be a key weapon as part of a back three that also includes wingers Pierre Bruno and Melbourne-born Monty Ioane, while the centre pairing will be Luca Morisi and Juan Ignacio Brex.
Ceccarelli and Nicotera beef-up a front row that also has prop Danilo Fischetti and is expected to come under huge pressure from the powerful Bok pack.
Niccolo Cannone and Federico Ruzza are at lock, while No.8 Lorenzo Cannone packs down with flankers Sebastian Negri and captain Michele Lamaro.
"We achieved a historic result against Australia, but we are not satisfied," Crowley said.
"The following day the focus was immediately shifted to South Africa.
"It will be a very intense match from a physical point of view. We have studied our opponents and prepared ourselves in the best possible way."
Italy has enjoyed previous success against the Boks, beating the team 20-18 in an autumn series clash in 2016.
― With AAP.
