Rampant Springboks Obliterate Italy
The Springboks produced a ruthless all-round performance to demolish Italy 66-7 in their Nations Championship clash in Turin, keeping their unbeaten record on the move and taking their tally to a perfect 20 log points after four successive victories on Sunday.
The current world champions outplayed the hosts from the opening whistle, scoring six converted tries with adding a penalty, to go up to a commanding 45-0 at half-time lead. South Africa continued their dominance after the interval, with three more converted tries, while Italy managed only a late consolation score.
The Springboks took control through their powerful forward play, and clinical finish, leaving the Azzurri with little opportunity to keep possession.
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu opened the scoring with a well-taken try before taking charge from the kicking tee, adding a penalty goal and six conversions in the opening half. Morne van den Berg, Malcolm Marx, Siya Kolisi and Damian Willemse also crossed the line, as South Africa’s attack repeatedly exposed the Italian defence.
Kolisi and Marx took advantage on the platform provided by the powerful pack, as the Springboks’ maul proved to be one of their most potent weapons.
Italy struggled to break through South Africa’s diligent defensive structure and, went into the interval scoreless, as the visitors held sheer control of the contest.
The world champions picked up where they left off after the restart, when Wilco Louw powered over from close range, through a determined leg drive to extend the advantage to 52-0.
The hosts eventually opened their account in the 61st minute through Federico Ruzza, who finished off a well-crafted set-piece move before Tommaso Allan added the conversion.
South Africa quickly regained their dominance. Paul de Villiers crossed for the Springboks’ third maul try of the afternoon in the 72nd minute, with Feinberg-Mngomezulu adding the conversion to make it 59-7.
Ethan Hooker finished off another slick set-piece move on the stroke of full-time, to score the Springboks’ ninth try, securing an emphatic 66-7 victory.
Van den Berg was named the official Player of the Match after an outstanding display behind a dominant forward pack, intelligent game management and accurate tactical kicking.
Comments