Springboks Dominate Italy In Second Test, Clinching Series

The Springboks secured an emphatic 45-0 victory over Italy in the second test at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, scoring seven tries despite playing with a man down for nearly 60 minutes.

This win clinches the series for the Springboks, following their triumph last weekend at Loftus Stadium, where Italy had put up a stronger challenge.

In the city of the late President Nelson Mandela, to mark 30 years since the 1995 World Cup for the Boks against New Zealand, however, the Italians, despite making five changes to their squad, failed to pose any significant threat to the Boks.

Edwill van der Merwe was the first to cross the whitewash, slicing through the Italian defense and offloading to Makazole Mapimpi on the short side. The Sharks winger then released Grant Williams inside for the scrumhalf to touch down in the ninth minute. Van der Merwe, who will join the Sharks next season from the Lions, added his try in the 15th minute, though Mannie Libbok missed the subsequent conversion.

Just as things seemed to be going smoothly for the Boks, a moment of madness from Jasper Wiese in the 20th minute changed the complexion of the game. He was shown a red card for a headbutt during a scuffle, leaving the Springboks to play the remainder of the match with 14 men. Coach Rassie Erasmus, observing from the coaching box, appeared baffled by the decision.

The game subsequently became scrappy, with neither side able to find much rhythm or fluidity with the ball. Despite their numerical advantage, Italy never truly threatened the Rugby World Cup champions in their 22-meter area in search of a try. The Springboks also struggled to dominate the scrums initially. However, the introduction of Ox Nche, a powerful scrummager, for Thomas du Toit brought a much-needed boost.

Italy put up a fight, winning a few balls at the ruck, with Marco van Staden occasionally left without support in collisions. Yet, Willie le Roux, who became the eighth Springbok to reach 100 caps (having debuted against Italy in 2013), delivered a superb bending pass that bounced perfectly for Van der Merwe. The winger then kicked the ball forward, setting himself up to dot down his second try of the game.

Despite being a man down, the Boks scored their fourth try when Williams set up Canan Moodie in midfield, with the Bulls winger powering through to score. The world champions went into halftime with a commanding 24-0 lead.

The Springboks would have been wary, recalling how Italy fought back strongly in the second half of the first test at Loftus Stadium. Discipline continued to be an issue for the Boks, as Wilco Louw was sin-binned for a head clash, reducing them to 13 players for 10 minutes. For repeated infringements, Italian prop Danilo Fischetti was also yellow-carded, giving the Boks an advantage.

As the Italians tried to stop a Springbok rolling maul, Malcolm Marx was not to be denied, crashing over from the maul in the 51st minute.

Italy’s attempts to get close and opt for lineouts often failed, with the Boks consistently turning over possession. Makazole Mapimpi, who had a strong game, added his name to the scoresheet with the Boks’ sixth try in the 72nd minute, with Libbok adding the conversion.

As Italy continued their search for their first points, replacement hooker Jan-Hendrik Wessels scored the seventh and final try, completely shutting out the Italians, who ended the game scoreless.