South Africa vs Italy live: Reaction as Springboks dominate despite Jasper Wiese red card

England and Saracens hooker Jamie George has earned a call-up to what will be his third British and Irish Lions tour after Luke Cowan-Dickiepicked up an injury in the final warm-up match before the first Test against Australia.

Head coach Andy Farrell has drafted in cover at hooker after Cowan-Dickie was stretchered off in the 48-0 victory over an AUNZ Invitational XV in Adelaide.

Cowan-Dickie was knocked out of the game attempting a tackle and despite positive signs after half-time, when he was seen smiling and waving to supporters, George has been drafted in before the first Test in Brisbane.

Owen Farrell made his first appearance on the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia, but it was the player he replaced, Huw Jones, who lit up a 48-0 victory over an AUNZ Invitational XV.

The Lions delivered their most emphatic win a week out from the first Test against the Wallabies in an eight-try demolition at Adelaide Oval that was marred only by a head injury to Luke Cowan-Dickie.

Cowan-Dickie was forced off after appearing to be knocked out when making a tackle and while he was seen walking around the field at half-time, he will face a spell on the sidelines that may force the Lions to call up additional cover at hooker.

The 2025 Rugby Championship begins in August, with South Africa facing Australia and Argentina taking on the All Blacks.

South Africa are the defending champions, and they face two away Tests against the All Blacks as well as a match against Argentina at Twickenham.

The final round of fixtures are scheduled for 4 October 2025.

South Africa’s next match comes against Australia on 16 August in the first match of the Rugby Championship.

Italy don’t play again until 8 November, when they face Australia in Udine in the first of their Autumn international matches.

There’s one more international fixture to come today, with Steve Borthwick’s England side taking on Argentina at the Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario. Kick-off there is at 8.40pm BST.

There have been several international matches played today, with some of the world’s best sides in action. The full results are below:

Fiji 29-14

New Zealand 43-17

Japan 22-31 Wales

AUNZ 0-48 Lions

South Africa 45-0 Italy

South Africa captain Salmaan Moerat says he’s pleased with the performance.

“I think this city loves rugby, I’m really please we could put up a performance like that.

“We knew the threat they posed, they’re a quality side. They made it hard for us last week. We did really well to show character and pull through.

“It’s to work that extra bit harder, and the boys did that. It clearly showed out there tonight,” he says when asked what the message is after the red card.

“We’re a team that always looks to evolve, that’s the way rugby is going, otherwise teams catch up to you. I’m really pleased with the plans we had, and the fact we could execute them,” he adds as he finishes.

Italy captain Niccolo Cannone says it was a tough day out there.

“It was a very tough game, we know the level of this team. I’m proud of my team, we had to improve a lot of things,” he says.

“I think it was too late, we have to put our game in the first half especially, but I’m proud.

“We love South Africa, this is a second home!” he adds as he finishes.

Jasper Wiese was given a red card in South Africa vs Italy after the Springboks star was called up for foul play after being caught delivering a headbutt to an opponent.

The 29-year-old was punished for foul play in the 22nd minute against the Azzurri at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha.

Both sets of players clashed in the first half with tensions boiling over, in the middle of the group, Wiese could be seen forcing his head towards Italy loosehead Danilo Fischetti.