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What a difference a decade makes. In November 2016, Italy beat South Africa for the first, and so far only, time. Now the Springboks have obliterated Italy – and the roots of this victory can be traced back to that defeat 10 years ago.
That historic result sparked a major rethink in South Africa, a rethink that ultimately led to Rassie Erasmus replacing Allister Coetzee as head coach in early 2018. Erasmus has overseen a remarkable transformation of the Boks since: from an embarrassing loss in Italy to back-to-back world champions.
This win in Turin was built on what Erasmus’s Boks are known for: a potently powerful set-piece and a back line that can deliver mesmerising moments. The one disappointment for their head coach will be how they failed to match the intensity and ruthlessness of their first-half performance in the second 40 minutes.
The Boks were 45-0 up at the break having scored six tries. The majority came off the back of their driving line-out, which they were able to launch to great effect inside Italy’s 22. Morne van den Berg, Malcolm Marx (two) and Siya Kolisi were all beneficiaries of the power of their maul in the first half. Damian Willemse also enjoyed an easy run-in when Jasper Wiese released him into space, but the stand-out finish came from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu inside 10 minutes.
The 24-year-old fly-half is undoubtedly one of the most exciting players in world rugby and he showed his full repertoire here: deft hands, pinpoint vision and metronomic kicking. The opening try was special, too: his dummy carved out the space for him to break through Italy and he then had the pace to beat any chasing defenders to the corner, where he acrobatically finished one-handed.
The flow of tries stemmed somewhat in the second half, but Wilco Louw, Paul de Villiers and Ethan Hooker did all cross. Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted all nine tries as well as kicking a penalty to take his points haul to 26.
Federico Ruzza did at least get a try on the board for Italy, but with more than a dozen players on their injury list it is going to be a challenging autumn for the Azzurri. The Boks, in contrast, appear to be marching to the Nations Championship final.
November 14: vs Argentina
November 21: vs Fiji
November 13: vs France
November 21: vs Ireland
South Africa cruise to a thumping nine-try victory against Italy in Turin. The Springboks effortlessly continue their 100% winning record in the Nations Championship.
The South Africa winger deserves that try. The Springboks win a breakdown penalty and go to kick the ball into touch. It’s a poor kick but Belloni inexplicably knocks the ball dead as he tries to keep it alive. This gifts the visitors a scrum instead of a five-metre line-out. South Africa take full advantage as Hooker breezes through to record a well-earned try. Feinberg-Mngomezulu adds the final points to crown the victory.
There were fears at half-time that South Africa could enter record-breaking territory with a historically large victory. But, the second half has been a much closer contest.
South Africa’s most trusted try-scoring method in this match pays dividends yet again. From the line-out, De Villiers surges forward at the back of the maul before powering over the try line to score. Feinberg-Mngomezulu bags a brilliant conversion on his return to the action.
After passing their HIA’s, Feinberg-Mngomezulu and De Villiers are back on the field. South Africa then kick a penalty for a five-metre line-out. This spells danger for Italy.
Some slick South African hands from Libbok and Willemse sees Hooker charge over Italy’s 10-metre line before he’s apprehended by two Italian bodies. Arendse is next to apply pressure, but his advances are rebuffed by Ioane’s determined defensive work.
Italy celebrate as Zuliani forces a turnover at the ruck, prompting some cheers from the home players. Credit to the Azzurri in this second half, they’ve shown fight and character to partially make amends for their woeful display prior to the break.
Italy finally have something to cheer about. It comes from a line-out as Ioane collects the ball, before he sprays a long pass out wide to Ruzza. South Africa’s defence is far too narrow and Ruzza has plenty of space to score. Just before that try, Feinberg-Mngomezulu left the pitch for a HIA and was replaced by Willemse.
De Villiers is withdrawn after having to depart the action for a HIA, with Kolisi on as his replacement.
Suddenly, Italy are beginning to carry the ball with more confidence and authority. Another notable South Africa change sees Libbok replace Willemse, with Feinberg-Mngomezulu likely to revert to full-back.
Italy have a scrum, but they’re completely penned inside their own 22. South Africa force the kick and retrieve possession. However, Nortje can’t catch the latest line-out. Complacency is beginning to creep into South’s Africa’s play at points in this second half. Italy look slightly more stable and competitive.
Kriel makes incredible territory down the left wing, allowing South Africa to reach Italy’s 10-metre line. Louw, who has only just reentered the action, charges through Italy’s non-existent defence to score. Feinberg-Mngomezulu has the extras and the Springboks now lead by 52 points.
South Africa make a trio of changes in their forward line as the likes of Nche, Marx, De Jager, Kolisi and Wiese all leave the field. With the result and bonus point already secured, will the Springboks’ scoring calm down in this second half?
Feinberg-Mngomezulu knocks on inside his own 22 and Italy have a scrum from a central position. A rare spell of Italy possession sees the hosts win a penalty. Incredibly, Garbisi goes to kick for a line-out from the five-metre line, but he shins it and it’s caught by South Africa hands before the ball can get into the touch. The Italian coaching staff all react in anguish. Garbisi apologetically looks on in embarrassment. You can’t be making errors like that as this level.
We are back under way for the second half. Could South Africa reach 100 points or will Italy’s defence tighten up?
Italy have been overrun and outplayed by a merciless South Africa, who have scored six first-half tries in Turin.
Du Toit has to leave the field with a facial wound, but South Africa respond by bringing on Louw. That is some insane squad depth. There’s a rare collectors item as Feinberg-Mngomezulu knocks on after failing to claim a kick under no pressure. Italy win their scrum and motor forward into South Africa’s 22, but the ball is knocked forward by Fusco at the ruck before the referee sounds his whistle for half-time.
Italy barely have a moment to breathe. It’s wave after wave of South African pressure. Ardense is the next Springbok to threaten and wants to get in on the scoring act after he collects Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s grubber. On this occasion, Italy defend well and scramble effectively to put the winger into touch.
Too easy for South Africa. Italy can’t deal with the Springboks’ maul as Marx gets over for his second try and Feinberg-Mngomezulu adds his sixth conversion. Hasa sits on the sidelines with his coat over his head. Quesada looks on from his vantage point with a resigned expression. This is really ugly for Italy. It’s one of the most one-sided Tests you will ever see.
Italy are down to 14 as Hasa is in the sin bin for slapping the ball away to halt a South Africa attack. The Springboks kick for the corner. Another try looks imminent.
Nortje charges down Fusco’s kick, allowing South Africa to retrieve possession. Wiese pounces on the loose, bouncing ball and effortlessly pierces Italy’s defensive line with his blistering pace and power, before spinning a pass onto the supporting Williemse, who dives over for a simple try. Unsurprisingly, Feinberg-Mngomezulu adds the extras. Springboks have more points than minutes on the clock.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu kicks an incredible 50:22. From there, it’s rinse and repeat for South Africa. Nortje rises highest to catch another line-out and you know what happens next... An unstoppable maul powered by South Africa’s relentless forwards ends with Kolisi getting over the try line to score and seal the bonus point. Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s 100% kicking record continues.
Once again, Nortje comfortably claims the line-out and a South African maul ensues. Marx leads the charge from the back and smoothly advances over the try line to bag the away side’s third try. Feinberg-Mngomezulu bags his third kick. Smooth sailing for the Springboks.
Italy are in trouble as Van den Berg scores his eighth test match try. Two South African mauls from a line-out eventually take their toll on Italy as Van den Berg picks up possession in the third phase of play and sneakily dives between two desperate challenges to score. Feinberg-Mngomezulu adds the extras and the Springboks are flying.
Belloni plays a panicked pass inside his own 22, with Italy having to scramble back and recover, gifting South Africa the ascendency. Nortje collects the South Africa line-out and the ball is worked out to the ever-willing Hooker, who gets within a metre of scoring before he’s held up. The referee sounds his whistle for a previous penalty and South Africa take a line-out from the right side.
You really fear for Italy today. That early South Africa try demonstrates the unerring quality that the Springboks possess.
Unbelievable. Feinberg-Mngomezulu darts through Italy’s defensive line, starting a run from outside his own 22 using his acceleration and pace. He epically dives over the try line under pressure to touch the ball down in the bottom right corner. That’s a sensational solo try. To cap it off, Feinberg-Mngomezulu dusts himself off and adds the extras via a touchline conversion.
Kriel breaks through and offloads to Hooker. Moerat makes more territory with a powerful run. South Africa are metres out from the try line and win a penalty as Italy illegally reach into the ruck. The visitors choose to kick and Feinberg-Mngomezulu slots a simple shot through the posts to open the scoring.
Hooker makes an early run as he bulldozes Ioane, but a second tackle puts the South African winger into touch and Italy survive.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu gets us under way at Allianz Stadium. Everything points to a comprehensive victory for South Africa, but can Italy do the impossible and shock all of us?
The national anthems are in full flow in Turin, with kick-off just a matter of minutes away. The atmosphere is building.
Ireland kicked off the second half of this year’s Nations Championship with a routine 42-12 win over Argentina in Dublin on Friday evening.
Springbok captain is set for his 108th test cap and said: “When we went away (after the Australia Test), two weeks in, the guys started messaging each other because we missed each other, so it’s never hard for us to get up for a game, so we’re excited, and hopeful that we can start this tour strongly.
“This is a new competition, which is also something to be excited about, so we have an important game this week. We’ve trained well, we are prepared, and we can’t wait for the game.”
“We just want to win. The first thing is to get the win, and if we get the lead in the game, then we can go for the bonus point.”
“We have three challenging matches ahead if we want to advance to the last game of the Finals Weekend, so our next three matches are going to be vital to lay a strong foundation for the tour.
“All our energy is focused on the match against Italy for now. Fortunately, some of the Japan-based players were able to travel to Italy earlier than the rest of the squad, so they have been working with some of the coaching staff for a few days already and are fully in the swing of things, while we had our first training session on Monday afternoon, so everyone is now on the same page.
“With the majority of the squad having played together for most of the season, we are confident that the players who participated in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship and French Top 14 will ease into things seamlessly this week at training.
“The fact that they are battle-hardened after a few tough matches will offer us a good balance with fresh players raring to go and others who come off a few challenging matches for their franchises and clubs.”
Read Telegraph Sport’s simple guide on the competition’s format via this link, where we uncover how the group tables and “finals weekend” will pan out.
Good morning and welcome to our live coverage of this Nations Championship Test as Italy host South Africa at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.
The Springboks have a perfect record in the competition’s inaugural edition and currently top the Southern Hemisphere table and boast a points difference of +81 after recording three victories against England, Scotland and Wales in July.
Since then, over August and September, the reigning World Cup champions won the Rugby Greatest Rivalry series 3-1 against New Zealand, further underlining their status as the most overwhelmingly complete international outfit. A much-changed South Africa side then narrowly lost 42-38 to Australia in a thrilling encounter in Perth at the end of September.
Meanwhile, the landscape looks very different for Italy, who have begun the Nations Championship with three defeats to Japan, New Zealand and Australia as they sit rock bottom of the Northern Hemisphere table with a miserable points difference of -94.
Despite the clear gap in prestige and quality between the two teams, Springbok back Damian Willemse insists South Africa remain fully focused on the job at hand as they aim to finish as the top-ranked southern nation so they can compete for the trophy against the best-performing northern side in the “finals weekend” at Twickenham at the end of the month.
“We are trying to play for a cup in a few weeks’ time, but the most important week is this week,” Willemse said. “If we lose this weekend, I think we’ll be out of the race to be in the final, so we are not looking too far ahead. Our focus now is to make sure we follow through with the plan the coaching staff have mapped out for us, and then Saturday’s result against Italy.”
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus is missing the injured quintet of Eben Etzebeth, Cheslin Kolbe, Andre Esterhuizen, Handre Pollard and Yaqeen Ahmed. However, South Africa have still named a star-studded and experienced squad, with lock Salmaan Moerat the only player in the group yet to make an appearance for his country this season after missing the last few months because of neck and toe issues.
An injured-ravaged Italy are without 15 unavailable players. Samuele Locatelli is poised to make his debut, while Mirko Belloni returns to international action for the first time in almost a year.
Kick-off is at 11:40am, with team news following now.
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