For the second successive week the Boks lost their number five lock in Franco Mostert (for a tackle to the head of Italian flyhalf Paolo Garbisi) as the second man entering the tackle – except this time it was in the 12th minute.

That left a fairly inexperienced side with new combinations across the field facing 68 minutes with a man down against an Italian team that had recorded a famous victory over Australia a week before.

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus brought on four of his replacements inside the first 26 minutes, and the Springboks led 10-3 at half-time thanks to Marco van Staden’s converted try.

‘Unable to take advantage’

Two Paolo Garbisi penalties reduced Italy’s deficit to a point. Still, they were unable to take advantage of a brief spell with a two-player advantage following Van Staden’s yellow card for a ruck infringement. 

In fact, the Boks managed to extend their lead during this period, thanks to a try from scrumhalf Morné van den Berg.

Italy responded with a try by Ange Capuozzo, who collected an inside pass to dart over, but Grant Williams and Ethan Hooker scored late on to secure victory for the Springboks.

‘It’s tough to understand’

After the match, Erasmus expressed his frustration with on-field decision-making, which resulted in Mostert’s red card.

“We got a red card, and they got a yellow card, which I probably thought was the right call, but losing two locks in two games now for going lower than they can go, it’s tough to understand.” 

South Africa face Ireland on 22 November and Wales on 29 November in their remaining fixtures.

OFM Sport/Ilse Smalberger dg