Innovators South Africa beat Italy 45 0 to take series 2 0
Innovators South Africa beat Italy 45-0 to take series 2-0
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alt=""/>ItalySouth Africa cruised to a 45-0 victory over Italy in Gqeberha on Saturday to win the series 2-0 as wing Edwill van der Merwe scored two tries and the Springboks introduced some innovative plays that resulted in further scores.
Scrumhalf Grant Williams, centre Canan Moodie, hooker Malcolm Marx, wing Makazole Mapimpi and replacement hooker Jan-Hendrik Wessels also crossed for tries in a performance that was far from perfect but enough to see off the Italians, who were ferocious at the breakdown but ultimately out-gunned.
The home side lost number eight Jasper Wiese to a needless permanent red card on 21 minutes for a headbutt, but made light of that numerical disadvantage on a night where fullback Willie le Roux became the eighth Springbok to win 100 caps.
Coach Rassie Erasmus introduced some innovative plays, including intentionally conceding a scrum from the kick-off, and twice creating midfield line-outs with lifting in open play that led to driving mauls and ultimately tries.
The boys played with heart and showed up, captain Saalman Moerat said. We are a team that always looks to evolve, otherwise teams catch up to you. I am pleased with the plans that we had, and that we could execute them.
We knew the threat the Italians posed, they made it really hard for us, especially being one man down early in the game.
South Africa dominated Italy in the scrum in last week’s 42-24 win in Pretoria and forced a set-piece immediately from their own kick-off to keep the pressure on in what is surely a first for test rugby.
HEAD-BUTT
Williams and Van der Merwe crossed for eye-catching scores, before the home side were reduced to
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