5-try Boks complete Azzurri revenge mission

SOUTH Africa ensured there would be no repeat of last year’s upset with a comfortable victory over Italy in Padova.

Tries from Francois Louw, Bongi Mbonambi, Francois Venter, Stephen Kitshoff and Franco Mostert proved too much for Italy in wet and slippery conditions.

Two Carlo Canna penalties were all Italy could muster..

In fact, Canna opened the scoring after Bok captain Eben Etzebeth had been penalised for an infringement at the lineout.

The Boks hit back almost immediately through Louw from close range after a series of powerful carries from the forwards. Handre Pollard added the extras to make it 7-3.

Canna hit his second three-pointer to keep Italy in touch but thereafter it was all South Africa.

Mbonambi scored on his starting debut from the back of a lineout drive and Venter joined him in grabbing his first try after a Pollard up-and-under bounced kindly for the Cheetahs captain.

Kitshoff burst over from another lineout drive shortly into the second half and, with Pollard slotting the conversion, the Boks had a 28-6 buffer.

Mostert grabbed a late score after a series of powerful carries from the Bok forwards.

Elton Jantjies, who made the initial breakdown the left, converted as the Boks claimed an easy victory.