SA vs Italy: An expert opinion
NIETGEDACHT – Flash Malinga gives his commentary on the Bokke's performance in this week of the Rugby World Cup.
Flash Malinga is a teacher at HeronBridge College, the head rugby coach at the U18 Golden Lions Academy and an U16 coach at the Elite Players Development camp.
He gives Fourways Review readers his opinion on the Springboks’ performance against Italy in the Rugby World Cup in Japan. The Boks faced the Azzurri in a pool match on 4 October at Shizuoka Stadium.
Malinga said the men in green and gold knew this was not going to be an easy encounter after having lost to Italy two years ago. In the first minute it was apparent that the Boks have a powerful scrum pack with Beast Mtawarira, Bongi Mbonambi and Frans Malherbe in the front row. Domination in the scrums was a big part of the Springboks’ strategy, however, after just 14 minutes the Boks were faced with uncontested scrums after the two Italian tight heads Marco Riccioni and Simone Ferrari went off injured.
Was this a strategically planned move by the Italians? It is hard to tell. The referee had no choice but to let the remaining 66 minutes play without a single push in the scrum for players’ safety. This seemed to frustrate Siya Kolisi’s men as they were only leading 17–3 at halftime.
There must have been something positive that the coaching staff mentioned at halftime as the Boks came out guns blazing in the second half. Cheslin Kolbe is living proof that you don’t have to be 115kg to wear the green and gold. He scored two stunning tries as Italy fell apart. Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi, RG Synman and Malcolm Marx also crossed the white line for a 49–3 win which puts them second on the log in Pool B.
Details: www.rugbyworldcup.com
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