Springboks beat Italy in must-win encounter

The Springboks triumphed in their must-win game against Italy 49–3.

Italy had secured bonus points in their two previous victories in pool B of the Rugby World Cup.

The teams met in Shizuoka on 4 October and while both teams featured powerful forward packs, it was the discipline, fitness and technical skill of the Springboks that won out.

South Africa, who were already well ahead early into the second half, were helped somewhat when Andrea Lovotti of Italy earned a red card when he tip-tackled Duane Vermeulen after the referee’s whistle blew.

Italy had to play the rest of the game one player down and momentum swung even further in the Springboks’ favour.

The cloud of a possible Human Rights Commission criminal prosecution against Springbok forward, Eben Etzebeth hung over the game.

The commission announced it would “institute legal proceedings against Mr Eben Etzebeth in the Equality Court’ on the day of the match. This was for an alleged assault and pointing of a firearm by the former Springbok captain at a homeless person.

Before the game, Italy had only won one match against the Springboks in 14 matches. That win came in 2016, when Italy won 20–18 in Florence.

However, they beat Namibia 47–22 and Canada 48–7 in this World Cup and so the need for a strong defence was not lost on coach Rassie Erasmus. It paid off for the men in green and gold.

The Springboks next play against Canada on 8 October.

The team that finishes first in pool B will play the runner up in pool A, while the runner-up in pool B will play the winner of pool A.

Ireland, Japan, Scotland and Samoa are all fighting fiercely for the top spots in pool A.

Related articles:

https://sandtonchronicle.co.za/237328/springboks-make-short-work-namibia/

https://sandtonchronicle.co.za/236788/springboks-falter-superior-blacks/