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South Africa again needed to overcome an early red card to defeat Italy 32-14 at Juventus Stadium in Turin on Saturday. This time it was Franco Mostert who walked, after a dangerous hit on Italy flyhalf Paolo Garbisi after 10 minutes.
Capuozzo (64')
Tries
Staden (40'), Berg (59'), Williams (71'), Hooker (78')
Conversions
Pollard (41', 60'), Libbok (72')
Garbisi (36', 42', 51')
Penalties
Pollard (33', 54')
South Africa again needed to overcome an early red card to defeat Italy 32-14 at Juventus Stadium in Turin on Saturday. This time it was Franco Mostert who walked, after a dangerous hit on Italy flyhalf Paolo Garbisi after 10 minutes.
They struggled to break down a dogged Italy, who tackled anything that moved. Marco van Staden’s try and Handre Pollard’s conversion before halftime settled them, and further tries from Morne van den Berg, Ethan Hooker, and Grant Williams stretched their lead in the final quarter.
Italy scored through Ange Capuozzo, and while it threatened a comeback, it was the last that Gonzalo Quesada’s team could produce as the Springboks tightened their grip. It was an improvement on the 45-0 defeat they suffered the last time they met, and there was no denying their efforts in defence that helped keep the match scoreless until the Pollard’s penalty on 33 minutes.
Back To Basics
When the Boks struggle, we know what’s coming, and thus it was on Saturday. With the scores tied up at three apiece and halftime approaching, they had one last chance to go on the attack and chose their old friend, the pick and go.
It worked a treat as eventually Marco van Staden drove over. Morne van den Berg added their second with a quick snipe off the back of a powerful scrum. With the lead established the Boks could relax, and start using their wide men, which they duly did.
Grant Williams rounded off a flowing counterattack to burst away to the posts, and Ethan Hooker plucked Manie Libbok’s cross kick from the sky to dot down. Two tries from forward efforts, and two from backline play will give Rassie Erasmus more reason to smile. That they came from players who aren’t necessarily first choice will only make that smile bigger still.
Reign In The Hits (Just A Bit)
One thing that wouldn’t have made Erasmus smile was seeing another of his second rows being straight red carded for a dangerous tackle. This time it was Franco Mostert on Italy flyhalf Paolo Garbisi, a week on from Lode de Jager’s hit on France’s Thomas Ramos.
Erasmus was diplomatic about the incident, but did defend the 198cm, 112kg second row saying, “we don’t know how to coach guys to go lower, especially for a two-meter-tall guy to face someone who is on his knees is tough.”
A good place to start would be to suggest players reign in the power at times. Yes, we are aware that is something anathema to most players, especially South African internationals, but maybe when your game is based on large humans firing into tackles, rucks and mauls like Exocets, then some are going to get the technique wrong and potentially cause someone serious harm.
Kick chasers have, in the main, learned to not go flying into airborne contact, and instead set themselves, wait till the catcher has landed and then make their move. Why not do the same when defending in close quarter contact? Otherwise, the red cards will continue, and sooner rather than later a team will be good enough to capitalise on their numerical superiority in a way that France and Italy couldn’t.
Paolo Far From Perfection
One minute you’re cock of the walk, the next you’re a feather duster. Italy flyhalf Paolo Garbisi learned this the hard way against the Springboks. After landing all 16 points he kicked in Italy’s win over Australia a week ago, this time he was off form and, as such, Italy’s positive start tailed off.
Most obviously, it was his kicking which was off the most. He missed two in the first half which would have opened a six-nil lead similar to their match against the Wallabies. He also missed a relatively straightforward conversion after Ange Capuozzo’s try. Add in some wayward kicks from hand and it meant the Azzurri missed chances to build momentum, most notably in the aftermath of Mostert’s dismissal.
It is important to remember that Garbisi is still 25, relatively young and he will have benefitted from sharing a pitch with Handre Pollard. Last year, he swapped jerseys with Beauden Barrett after facing the All Blacks at the same venue. If he learns and puts into practice his encounters with the leading flyhalves, then one day it will be him who is the wise old head posing for a photo with a coming rival.
Staying In Contention
Despite the final score, and frustration that they weren’t as on point as they were against Australia, the Azzurri can be pleased with how they fared. After all, the last time the met they didn’t even land a blow in a 45-0 defeat.
Keeping South Africa scoreless for 33 minutes is no mean feat, their try was a beauty and would have unlocked any defence, and their defence was outstanding for an hour. In short, apart from Garbisi’s wayward kicks, they did what they did against Australia, just against a better team who weren’t going to let them off the hook.
Niccolo Cannone was again excellent and led the way in the match with 13 carries. Manuel Zuliani made two turnovers and 12 tackles to show that he isn’t giving up the number seven shirt, not even to Michele Lamaro, and his fellow flanker Ross Vintcent made 13 tackles.
Next up for Gonzalo Quesada’s outfit is a clash against Chile in Genoa. Win that convincingly, and it will have been a very positive November.
