The Springboks have secured a 49-3 win over Italy this morning in Pool B of the Rugby World Cup in Japan.
The win means that South Africa will qualify for the quarter-finals of the tournament if they beat Canada on Tuesday. A brace of tries from Cheslin Kolbe along with touchdowns from Bongi Mbonambi, Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi, RG Snyman and Malcolm Marx saw them ease to a bonus-point, which was made all the easier by Italy having Andrea Lovotti sent-off early in the second-half.
South Africa got off to a quick start and were ahead after six minutes when some quick-handling out the back led to Kolbe receiving the ball on the right-wing where he stepped inside and walked over for the opening try of the game. Handre Pollard slotted over the conversion to make it 7-0.
Three minutes on and Italy reduced the lead by three through the boot of Tomasso Allan from a penalty.
However, four minutes on and Pollard knocked over three points of his own to stretch the lead once more.
On 27 minutes the Boks where in for try number two when a driving maul was finished off by hooker Mbonambi for his third try in two games. Pollard converted to make it 17-3 and that’s how remained at half-time.
Three minutes into the second-half and things got much worse for Italy as prop Lovotti was shown a straight red card for a tip tackle on Duane Vermeulen.
Pollard decided to take an easy three points eight minutes later to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Although two minutes on and Kolbe was in for his second try of the game as Pollard kicked over the top for the flying winger, who raced onto the ball and went over. Pollard missed from the tee leaving it at 25-3.
Just before the hour mark and the Springboks had the bonus-point as centre Am intercepted a loose pass before sprinting over four his side’s fourth try, which Pollard again converted.
Willie le Roux made a lovely little chip kick into the Italian 22 with 12 minutes remaining, where winger Mapimpi caught the ball and ran in for his 11th try in 11 games for his country. Pollard made no mistake to bring the lead out to 39-3.
Snyman was on hand to pick up a loose offload by the Italians beside the try-line, after some great pressing by Kolbe forced the mistake. Pollard couldn’t add the extras this time around.
There was late gloss to the scoreboard when another line-out led to a maul. Marx barrelled from the back, and with the clock in red Pollard lashed the kick wide, leaving the final score as 49-3.
The Boks will look to continue their winning ways when they take on Canada on Tuesday in a short turnaround. While for Italy things only get harder when they face the All Blacks on Saturday October 12th.
Springboks Player Ratings
Starting XV:
Willie le Roux (8), Cheslin Kolbe (9), Lukhanyo Am (8), Damian de Allende (6), Makazole Mapimpi (7), Handré Pollard (8), Faf de Klerk (7), Duane Vermeulen (8), Pieter-Steph du Toit (8), Siya Kolisi (7), Lood de Jager (7), Eben Etzebeth (7), Frans Malherbe (7), Bongi Mbonambi (7), Tendai Mtawarira (7)
Replacements (8)
