South African rugby coach Allister Coetzee is facing the sack after the tour finale in Wales next weekend, following another momentous loss by the Springboks.

South Africa lost for the first time to Italy, 20-18, in Florence on Saturday (Sunday AEDT).

Their seventh loss in 11 Tests this year saw them hit rock bottom, and prompted SA Rugby president Mark Alexander to release a statement immediately afterward.

“The whole of South African rugby is extremely disappointed with this year’s Springbok results and deeply worrying aspects of the performances,” he said.

“It has not been good enough and no one is pretending otherwise.”

This year has been full of unwanted records by South Africa: Heaviest home loss to New Zealand, first home loss to Ireland, first away loss to Argentina, first loss to England in 10 years.

“Our focus is on solutions and finding answers to our current problems. We have a Test against Wales on Saturday, and then we will review the season and spend time determining a path for the future,” Alexander said.

The Springboks were third at the Rugby World Cup a year ago.

Coetzee, who took charge in April, said he has not “lost the changing room,” and believed he was still the right man for the job and will not resign.

“I’d say it’s the darkest moment of my coaching career. The toughest. But I don’t want to look at it emotionally now, because emotions are high,” he said.

South Africa had won all 12 previous matches against Italy by 16 points or more, and just last weekend New Zealand smashed the Italians 68-10 in Rome.

Coetzee called this defeat “embarrassing.”

“It’s not good enough losing to Italy. No disrespect to Italy, they have deserved their victory and hats off to a spirited Italian side, who tackled and tackled for each other and forced us into mistakes.”