AUDIO: Azzurri rookie hopeful to face Bok childhood heroes

LISTEN as rookie Italian centre Giulio Bertaccini speaks about potentially facing two of his childhood heroes when the Springboks face Italy at Loftus Versfeld this Saturday.

The 24-year-old featured off the bench last weekend in Italy’s 73-6 rout of Namibia ahead of their two-Test series against South Africa.

The youngster represented United Rugby Championship outfit Zebre merely four times and donned the Italian jumper twice in his young Test career.

*See also: Italy boost squad for Bok challenge

Should he be selected against the Boks, he will face his toughest assignment yet following his two Tests against Georgia and Namibia, respectively.

However, Bertaccini will embrace the challenge should he be afforded the opportunity to play against players he looked up to since a young age.

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“It would be a pleasure for me to face the Boks,” Bertaccini told @rugby365com.

“They don’t need any presentation because they’ve won the last two World Cups.

“Regarding the centres, I can’t say much more.

“Jesse Kriel and Damian de Allende are two of my favourite players.

“I watched them since I was 10 years old. They are experienced players, and both are very physical.

“I’ll be very happy to play against them if I get the opportunity to be in the [matchday] squad for both upcoming matches.

“Let’s see what happens.”