My new best friend
LAST-8 BECKONS: SEVEN TRIES SEND THE AZZURRI PACKING IN SHIZUOKA
Eben Etzebeth hugs team-mate Cheslin Kolbe after he scored a try during the Rugby World Cup match between South Africa and Italy in Fukuroi, Japan, yesterday. The Boks won 49-3.
Rassie Erasmus sings the praises of skipper Kolbe.
The Springboks made a big World Cup statement by smashing Italy 49-3 yesterday in Shizuoka, Japan to virtually secure their place in the quarterfinals.
While it was not always flashy, the Boks secured an important bonus point by scoring two tries in the first half and another five in the second. Bok captain Siya Kolisi said it was just the right medicine.
“It was really tough and quite a big challenge as we had to win. The uncontested scrums took a bit of the steam off the performance,” he said.
The Boks were deprived of their biggest attacking weapon when uncontested scrums were called in the 19th minute when Italy lost both their tighthead props to injury.
“It was however important to control the set-pieces and I am filled with pride over the performance of the guys,” added Kolisi.
Wing Cheslin Kolbe again starred with a brace of tries before suffering an ankle injury late in the game, but coach Rassie Erasmus gave him a clean bill of health.
There were also tries for centre Lukhanyo Am, wing Makazole Mapimpi, replacement lock RG Snyman and replacement hooker Malcolm Marx, while in the first half hooker Bongi Mbonambi and Kolbe scored his first to ensure a half-time lead of 17-3.
Flyhalf Handre Pollard added 14 points through four conversions and two penalty goals.
The Boks started the game in great style by using their big pack to take the battle to Italy, while their defence suffocated the Azzurri. Italy were also made to pay for poor discipline when prop Andrea Lovotti was red-carded three minutes after the break for a lifting tackle on Bok No 8 Duane Vermeulen and driving his head into the round.
Erasmus heaped praise on Kolbe for yet another outstanding performance.
“He played a wonderful game, both in attack and defence,” Erasmus said, naming him alongside All Blacks Sevu Reece and Damian McKenzie as having “that X-factor, they can make something out of nothing”.
“It’s great to have him there.” The Bok coach said the match had not been “perfect”, highlighting discipline in defence as one thing his side needed to improve on.
“And we definitely need to get better on the attacking side. But I’m pretty happy how we handled that game.
“We play to our strengths. We know that the way we played tonight was enough to get through to the quarterfinals.”
The Boks face Canada in their final pool match on Tuesday and need a victory to secure their spot in the last eight.
See Page 42 for yesterday’s player ratings