The Springboks had an interesting start to their match against Italy in Genoa on Saturday.

Nicole Magolie sang "Nkosi Sikelel" at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris, doing so in an unusually slow manner that got people chattering on social media in response.

This harked back to the instances when Ras Dumisani and Ard Matthews made an absolute mess of the anthem, to much controversy.

Among social media commentators was legendary Wallabies backliner Matt Giteau:

"Is this a super slow version of South African anthem right now?"

Kuda Jr tweeted:

"Please never sing the National Anthem again abeg #ITAvRSA"

South African radio personality Rory Petzer tweeted:

"Sorry I’m three hours late. I was waiting for the South African anthem to end."

Mark Penrith added:

"That rendition of the South African anthem though. I don't get it. How can an artist be so disrespectful to the crowd, the team, the flag, the nation, the country? On a good week for sport our culture let us down."