Springboks scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen on Tuesday dismissed speculation that the South Africans would treat Italy as an inferior opponent to the likes of France and England.

"If we did this, we would be asking for trouble," said Van der Westhuizen (pictured). "Italy's record at home has been very good. They have been competitive against all the leading nations when playing at home.

"The Italian side is a lot stronger than that which toured South Africa early in the year. We know it will be difficult and we will have to play well to win."

Italian journalists, buoyant after Italy's 66-10 win against Fiji at the weekend, told Van der Westhuizen that the hosts had started talking of a first-ever win against the Boks.

They then asked him if this was 'dreaming' or if it could happen. "I am not going to concern myself with what Italy are saying. We know it will be a tough test and are treating it with the respect you give to an international opponent.

"They will be far superior to the side that played in South Africa and Diego Dominguez (at flyhalf) is always a factor," said Van der Westhuizen.

The Bok scrumhalf, South Africa's most capped player with 76 tests and 98 games for the Boks, promised to deliver a more convincing individual performance than was the case against France.

"I let myself down at times. I want to take more control and ensure we go forward," said Van der Westhuizen. "I have a point to prove to my detractors and the team, as a whole, has a lot to prove. We know our ability. Our aim was to win all four Tests on this tour. It cannot happen now, but we have to bounce back from the defeat in France.

"Beating Italy, England and the United States will ease the pain, even if it does not erase the memory."

The Boks on Tuesday trained for two hours in the morning. Semi-contact was again top of the menu and AJ Venter and Mark Andrews were both forced from the field after crashing into each other.
Venter injured a calf muscle and Andrews hurt an ankle.

Both will be medically assessed on Wednesday morning.

Andre Vos (nine stitches above his left eye) did not take part in contact and neither did centre Andre Snyman, whose head was accidentally cut open in the Test against France.

The Boks will train again on Tuesday afternoon. The Test 22 will be announced on Wednesday afternoon.