Cape Town - Veteran Italy hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini knows physicality will be the order of the day when they face the Springboks in Padova on Saturday.

The 88-Test veteran is looking forward to playing against the Springboks after missing out on their shock 20-18 win over South Africa in Florence last year.

The Italians will again be looking to take the Springboks on up front.

“Against South Africa it will be a very physical challenge. We must try to be as precise as possible and remain faithful to our game plan,” Ghiraldini told Italian Rugby's official website.

The 32-year-old was also looking forward to playing in the city of his birth.

“It will surely be a nice feeling to wear the national shirt in front of my family and the Padova public. We will play against some of the best players in the world," he continued.

Ghiraldini's last Test in Padova was against South Africa in 2014, when the Boks won 22-6.

Both coaches will name their respective team line-ups on Thursday.