South Africa 22 – Italy 6
by “Lee Grant”
South Africa came up with a flattering win which they had to work hard for—despite their lightest scrum in years being bossed by the Italians.
Italy stumbled against Argentina last week after controlling the first half, and would have to convert any sniffs they got against the Springboks into points, because they wouldn’t get many.
Boks’ coach Heyneke Meyer was always planning to use this game to blood a new few players.
Loosehead prop Trevor Nyakane started for the first time in a test match to give “The Beast” a break, and backrower Nizaam Carr and tighthead prop Julian Redelinghuys earned their first caps as reserves.
Flyhalf Johan Goosen appeared for the first time as a fullback as Willie le Roux was rested on the bench.
Despite these changes the Springboks wanted to maintain their good form from Twickenham the week before, when they bounced back after an unexpected loss in Dublin.
Duane Vermeulen – form Springbok
First half
For the first part of the game Italy were playing like Springboks, and South Africa, like the Azzurri.
Italy looked sharp and during this period 10 Kelly Haimona slotted a goal from a scrum penalty, though he had missed one earlier.
But when the Boks got the ball in the Azzurri half for the first time and winger Bryan Habana was held up, 10 Pat Lambie evened up the scoreboard 3-3 after 16 minutes.
South Africa was getting into its stride and after a scrum and a few charges Coenie Oosthuizen, playing tighthead prop in this game, forced his way over to make the score 8-3 to the Boks at 23 minutes.
In the second quarter the Springboks started to put some phases together, but the only other score of the half was when Haimona goaled for Italy after a mauling penalty.
It was a scrappy first half with both sides having problems with their lineouts. Whilst the Springboks looked the more likely team to score tries, being parked in the Italy half nearly 70% of the time, neither team was controlling the game.
Half-time score: South Africa 8 – Italy 6.
Nizaam Carr – good impact in first test match
Second half
The Boks looked sharper after the break but they blew an attacking five-metre lineout chance. The lineout woes of both sides continued but gradually South African bench players, Bismarck du Plessis, Nizaam Carr, Willie le Roux and Handre Pollard started to make a difference.
Le Roux was like a snake-oil salesman and Pollard’s ability to run had defenders on the back foot.
In the 59th minute Carr took the ball up and burst through a poor tackle attempt by Italy captain Sergio Parisse. When eventually stopped he passed to 9 Cobus Reinach who scored backing up, as he did at Twickenham last week. Pollard added the extras for a scoreline of 15-6 to the Springboks.
Cobus Reinach – scored after backing up again
Later Italy blew their own attacking five-metre lineout chance, but apart from that opportunity the vibe was all with South Africa.
Just before the end the Boks turned the ball over 30 metres out from their own line for le Roux to attract defenders like a Trojan horse and put Pollard through space. Running full pelt the youngster passed wide to Bryan Habana who ran 30 metres to score.
Final score: South Africa 22 – Italy 6.
Victor Matfield – old stager
The Springboks had two good movements in the half and scored from both of them.
Italy lacked game breakers, although young 13 Michel Campagnaro continued to impress with the few chances he got.
The official man-of-the-match was scrummie Cobus Reinach, but for me it was lock Eben Etzebeth who played a cracking balanced game.
Eben Etzebeth – had a cracking game
The players
Italy: 1. M. Aguero, 2. L. Ghiraldini, 3. M. Castrogiovanni, 4. Q. Geldenhuys, 5. J. Furno, 6. A. Zanni, 7. S. Vunisa, 8 S. Parisse (c), 9. E. Gori; 10. K. Haimona,11. L. Mclean,12. L. Morisi, 13. M. Campagnaro, 14. L. Sarto, 15. A. Masi.
Reserves: 16. A. Manici, 17. A. de Marchi, 18. D. Chistolini, 19. M. Bortolami, 20. F. Minto, 21. G. Palazzani, 22. L. Orquera, 23. G. Toniolatti.
South Africa: 1. T. Nyakane, 2. A. Strauss, 3. C. Oosthuizen, 4. E. Etzebeth, 5. V. Matfield, 6. M. Coetzee, 7. T. Mohojoe, 8. D. Vermeulen, 9. C. Reinach, 10. P. Lambie,11. B. Habana, 12. J. de Villiers (c), 13. J. Serfontein, 14. JP Pietersen, 15. J. Goosen
Reserves: 16. B. du Plessis, 17. G. Steenkamp, 18. J. Redelinghuys, 19. L. de Jager, 20. N. Carr, 21. F. Hougaard, 22. H. Pollard, 23. W. le Roux.
The scoring
South Africa 22 (C. Oosthuizen, C. Reinach, R. Habana tries, P. Lambie pen, H. Pollard 2 cons) def. Italy 6 (K. Haimona 2 pens).
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