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South Africa storm to victory in Italy with seven second-half tries
By Liam Heagney
Kurt-Lee Arendse scored twice as a dominant second-half performance saw South Africa register their first Autumn Nations series win with a 63-21 victory over Italy in Genoa. The world champions had lost their last two games against Ireland and France but after narrowly leading at half-time, they scored seven tries after the break to storm to victory at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.
Arendse opened the scoring inside the first two minutes when he broke through the defensive line to touch down in the left corner but Italy, fresh from their first-ever win over Australia, soon responded through a Tommaso Allan penalty.
Ange Capuozzo then picked up where he left off following his try-scoring brace against the Wallabies by touching down in the tenth minute, with Allan’s conversion and subsequent penalty putting Italy 13-8 ahead midway through the first half.
However, South Africa rallied to claim an 18-13 half-time lead thanks to a Bongi Mbonambi try, and then the Springboks ran away with the game in the second half. The tourists scored twice in quick succession after the restart through Cheslin Kolbe and Arendse to move 30-16 ahead and there was no way back for the Azzurri after that.
The Springboks continued to exert their dominance when replacement Kwagga Smith scored in the 54th minute before Malcolm Marx added their sixth try of the game just after the hour. Italy continued to battle and a good move down the left saw Lorenzo Cannone get on the scoresheet with a try in the 65th minute, but South Africa responded instantly when Steven Kitshoff crossed three minutes later.
Damian Willemse also notched for the Springboks in the 72nd minute before Cobus Reinach capped off an impressive second-half display with their ninth and final try of the game two minutes from time. Next up for South Africa is a clash with England at Twickenham in the final round of fixtures, while Italy finish the series with two wins from three after victories over Samoa and Australia.
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Latest Comments
I think the best 15 we have is DMac. Jordan at 14.
Go to commentsIt certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
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