Cruise for Springboks

SOUTH AFRICA steamrollered Conor O’Shea’s side in Padova, scoring five converted tries to avenge their shock loss to the Azzurri last year.

The Springboks, who have struggled this year against top-tier teams, offered a very different performance to last year’s shambolic effort, controlling the game and using their big forwards as battering rams on a wet and foggy day.

They scored four tries through the forwards, overpowering the Italians in the ruck and maul with the first two going to flanker Francois Louw and hooker Bongi Mbonambi, who was making his first start. Centre Francois Venter then scored out wide before half time, cleaning up the ball from a kick to the corner.

In the second half, the visitors’ pack struck again, with replacement prop Steven Kitshoff touching down within minutes of the restart. Replacement lock Franco Mostert crossed under the posts near the final whistle to seal the victory, with man-of-the-match Handre Pollard adding his fourth conversion. Italy had just two penalties from Carlo Canna to show for their efforts.