Rugby: Italia thrashed by South Africa in Turin – the match ends 7–66

7–66 (half-time 0–45). In Turin, an unstoppable South Africa thrashed Italy in the first of four matches scheduled for November.

By the 23rd minute of the first half, the visiting side had already scored their fourth try, earning a point in the standings thanks to the attacking bonus point and taking the score to 31–0. This statistic alone is enough to give an idea of the gulf between the world champion Springboks and an Italian side that was decidedly inferior in every phase of the game (apart from the scrum).

There were bewildered, almost regretful looks amongst the Italian players as they faced a XV that was far stronger on paper – and indeed superior in practice. A virtually perfect first half from the ‘Bokke’, who dominated possession and, even more so, their presence in the opposition’s half, constantly on the front foot (which led the Azzurri to commit several fouls, particularly in the first half), extremely precise in their various moves, very powerful in their scrummaging and excellent in the battle for high balls.

In short, at least 40 minutes of top-class play from the best team in the world. And an Italia side that was completely overwhelmed, unable to apply pressure in defence – a factor that further allowed the playmaker Mngomezolu-Feinberg, the fly-half, to showcase his entire dazzling repertoire. It was he, incidentally, who scored the first of South Africa’s nine tries: all the number 10 needed was a gap to slip through and launch himself into a magnificent burst of speed.

The ground gained following a lineout win proved to be an unbeatable weapon for the Springboks. In this way, they scored four of their six first-half tries, a half that also saw Willemse score a try at the corner flag after de Jager ‘stopped’ a kick from Fusco and Wiese carried the ball across the field before setting up his team-mate.