Italy keep control to master South Africa

By DAVID ROBSON

South Africa …26 Italy …………….. 34

Italy produced a superb display of wet weather rugby to stun hosts South Africa. On a pitch that had become heavy going after incessant driving rain all day, Italy used their driving maul to devastating effect to secure a famous bonus-point victory.

It was a contrastof styles as South Africa played the more adventurous rugby but Italy's pragmatic approach was better suited to the conditions with all four of their tries coming from pick-and-drive attacks.

Having gone 17 points down in the first 24 minutes – and 19 points adrift at one stage in the second period – South Africa fought hard but left themselves with too much to do.

South Africa did score the try of the match when centre Damian Markus picked up 15 metres from his own line and went the length, but that, and a try bonus point, were of little consolation to the Junior Springboks.

Poor discipline and a malfunctioning lineout meant they spent too long on defensive duties and they struggled to find ways of legally checking Italy's driving maul.

An early penalty try, after South Africa collapsed a maul, was followed by a score from hooker Nicholas Gasperini with fly-half Simone Brisighella adding the conversion followed by a penalty.

South Africa responded with well-worked tries from centre Kat Letebele and replacement wing Jurenzo Julius but Italy regained control and composure at the start of the second half with scrum-half Lorenzo Casilio, the player of the match, marshalling his pack.

Gallorini's brace of tries stretched the lead before Markus's flash of individual brilliance was followed by a moment of opportunism from hooker Juann Else, who picked up a loose ball and found a huge hole in Italy's defence.

But South Africa struggled to find further attacking opportunities and it was Italy's forward power that forced a penalty under more pressure that allowed Giovanni Sante to seal the win with a kick from in front of the posts.

South Africa had a chance to snatch a second bonus point with the final kick but Imad Khan's penalty missed the target.

“If your set piece, kicking game and defence is functioning, you can put yourself into a position to build pressure, and then you can put points on the board,” said South Africa head coach Bafana Nhleko.

“We were good at times, scoring some beautiful tries and producing some strong defensive moments. At other times, it wasn't so great.”