Spirited Springboks Beat Italy Despite Man’s Disadvantage

On a grey, gloomy evening in Turin, the Springboks did battle against a motivated and confident-looking Italy in a tantalising prospect with much to offer.

Despite this confidence, though, it was the four-time World Champions who, for the second week in a row, produced a performance that defied belief despite on-field disadvantages, winning superbly 32-14.

Within the first minute, Italy already showed their prowess as the ruck specialists assumed their business when Manuel Zuliani stole the ball in a ruck – something the Italians were well known for, and which the Boks were all too aware of. 

Excellent cover defence provided by Edwill van der Merwe in the 5th minute prevented Italy from taking advantage of the attack as they ran the ball into the 22 and attempted to apply pressure on the Boks.

Tenth-ranked Italy were more than holding their own – looking strong and matching the Boks at set-pieces, which drew smiles from their coaching staff. 

In an incident sure to draw the ire of the whole of South Africa, the 11th minute saw a Franco Mostert incident on Paolo Garbisi as Ethan Hooker attempted a tackle. Mostert followed up but was adjudged to have shoulder-to-head contact, with no wrapping of the arms to the Italian fly half, and was inexplicably given a permanent red card.

Garbisi missed the subsequent penalty, pulling it wide to the right.

World Cup-winning coach Rassie Erasmus began ringing the changes as Nortje came on for Ben-Jason Dixon, who had to be sacrificed. Minutes later, Wilco Louw came on for Zachary Porthen.

With the Italians growing in confidence and starting to dominate the scrum, Erasmus continued with his proactive response, bringing Gerhard Steenekamp on for Boan Venter and Andre Esterhuizen on for Edwill van der Merwe.

In the 27th minute, Garbisi’s poor kicking form continued as he missed another kick, which looked easier to slot as the ball veered badly to the left.

The 33rd minute brought about the first points of the game as the Boks went through the phases, but then handed the ball to Handre Pollard for a drop-goal. When many thought the Boks had taken the lead, it was waved away for offside, and instead South Africa were given a penalty which Pollard duly slotted.

Garbisi brought Italy level, scoring their first points in the 37th minute – bringing the score level at 3-3. 

With the timer in the red and the referee about to bring the half to an end, South Africa bundled over the tryline – when Marco Van Staden showed great power and leg drive to dot down. Pollard added the two extra points to give the world champions a 10-3 lead. 

HALF-TIME : SOUTH AFRICA 10-3 ITALY

Erasmus continued to manage his charges as best as possible as Edwill van der Merwe took to the field for Kurt-Lee Arendse.

The 43rd minute heralded the first points of the second half as Damian Willemse first knocked the ball forward before Canan Moodie played the ball on the ground – handing Italy a penalty in front of the posts. Garbisi slotted his second penalty of the game, reducing the score to four points, 10-6 in favour of the Springboks. 

Siya Kolisi made way for RG Snyman as he hobbled off, leaving it all out on the turf. A typical workmanlike performance from the South African captain. 

The World Champions had their backs firmly against the wall when Marco Van Staden was sin-binned for an infringement at a ruck. Garbisi, with another chance under the poles, put it over successfully to reduce the deficit to just one point. South Africa was still in the lead at 10-9, albeit with just 13 men on the pitch.  

The ever-reliable Handre Pollard slotted a 55th-minute penalty to increase the lead, 13-9.

Lorenzo Cannone was sent to the sin-bin in the 56th minute for a high tackle on Kwagga Smith. 

With the Springboks sensing a shift in momentum – advantage had to be taken – and Morne van den Berg ensured that the Boks made the most of the territory they were being afforded when he sniped through off the back of a mighty scrum.

Pollard made no mistake with the subsequent conversion and the Boks, despite the numbers disadvantage, extended their lead to eleven points, 20-9.

With the kicking game getting a bit predictable by Italy, a superb, sharp, and flat inside pass in the Springbok 22 met with the diagonal run of Ange Capuozzo, who scored, to the jubilation of the Italian crowd. Garbisi’s indifferent day continued as he failed to convert for the extra two points. 

Electric duo Grant Williams and Manie Libbok replaced the impressive Van Den Berg and Pollard for the final quarter of the game. 

Canan Moodie produced a sublime moment of individualism as he beat a defender on the touchline before stepping his way on the inside, releasing Williams with no Italian player between him and the posts. The conversion left Italy with an uphill battle, as the Boks made it 27-14.

The Springboks rubbed more salt in Italian wounds with a late five-pointer by Ethan Hooker.

With the odds once again against them, the Springboks produced another spell-binding performance to keep the rugby world in awe.