Springboks offer lessons to Italians
The Springboks all-but secured their progression to the quarter-final stage of the 2019 Rugby World Cup with a comfortable victory over Italy at the Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa on Friday.
The Springboks won 49-3 after leading 17-3 at half-time.
Sadly for the purists, the Test was blighted by an early third-minute leg injury to tighthead Simone Ferrari.
His replacement, Marco Riccioni, then failed an HIA test, meaning from the 18th minute onwards uncontested scrums were the order of the day - much to the frustration of the Springbok-dominant pack.
To compound matters for the Azzurri, loosehead Andrea Lovotti was shown a straight red card for a shocking tip-tackle on Springbok No 8 Duane Vermeulen early in the second half.
The Springboks scored seven tries through wings Cheslin Kolbe (2) and Makazole Mapimpi, hooker Bongi Mbonambi, centre Lukhanyo Am and replacements, lock RG Snyman and hooker Malcolm Marx. Flyhalf Handre Pollard was on target with four conversions and two penalties.
Italy replied with a solitary penalty by flyhalf Tommaso Allan.
The Springboks picked up a full-house of five points for their victory to move to the top of the standings in Pool B.
Italy left empty-handed and slipped to second ahead of their next match against the All Blacks on Saturday, October 12.
The Springboks are next in action against Canada on Tuesday, October 8 at 12:15 SA time.
The Wallabies will make history when they take the field against Uruguay on Saturday by wearing an indigenous-inspired jersey for the first time at the World Cup.
Kurtley Beale, the only indigenous Australian in the current Wallabies squad who starts at fullback against Uruguay, said the special jersey had a “galvanising” effect on the team.
“It’s showing us representing all Australians, but importantly, the First Nations people,” he said.
“We’ve got buy-in from all the players and the staff. And as a country it is a true representation and acknowledgement of the First Nations people. It’s going to be a very special night for all involved.”
Assistant coach Nathan Gray said the match “will go down in history in rugby as a game where a country got to wear a jersey signifying a really special moment.” - AFP
