South Africa vs Italy - Match Thread

[wales606]

Anyone watching

Good start by South Africa, but Italy have held on well.

[Galted]

Le Roux & Vermaak have looked impressive early on. Do SA ever play the same loose trio in consecutive games?

[Rory_Gallagher]

Yep - great to see some attacking intent by SA. Le Roux looks very good.

Galted - Thanks to a few injuries, they haven't been able to. Though they have so many options to choose from.

[LeinsterFan4life]

Like most French refs he is too quick to give penalties. He is going to ruin the game.

[Rory_Gallagher]

Try for Adriann Strauss!

[wales606]

Yellow card for Italy

Not a good start for them, SA are cruising.

[wales606]

11 - 0

[LeinsterFan4life]

Yellow card already??? Ref is a shambles. Give the players time to adjust to your bad interpatations at least!!

[Rory_Gallagher]

Great play by SA. They are looking so dangerous.

[wales606]

Far too easy for Habana

[wales606]

It's just not working for Italy at all, even Parisse can't work his magic

[Rory_Gallagher]

Francois Louw is so good.

[wales606]

Much better start to the half from Italy, still no points on the board though.

[wales606]

Good try by Italy

And still a fair while on the SA sin bin

Parisse through the legs pass to create the try - that's just showing off

[wales606]

20 - 7

[wales606]

Italy dominating the scrums now - complete turnaround

[wales606]

Italy really threatening another try there

Ends with 3pts

20 - 10

South Africa yet to score this half.

[wales606]

Everything is working for Italy in this half, they have had all the possession so far

[wales606]

Almost through again!

[Galted]

Not sure I can believe what I'm seeing, Italy in the ascendancy & twice running from their own 22. They look hugely confident.

[wales606]

South Africa turnover and chase gives them their first points of the second half

23 - 10

[wales606]

Not sure I can believe what I'm seeing, Italy in the ascendancy & twice running from their own 22. They look hugely confident.

Nothing worked for them in the first half, now it is all working - even Parisse's silly passing

[wales606]

Habana ends the competition...I hate that he keeps doing that.

30 - 10

[Rory_Gallagher]

Habana can be so good.

There is a real trend at the minute with the wingers to run sideways, bring defenders out of the defensive line and then cut straight through. North did it earlier, Habana did it just there. Seems to be a very effective way of unlocking defences.

[wales606]

South Africa butcher a break away try

[wales606]

South Africa have never scored less than 4 tries against Italy apparently

So there is still a record for Italy to go for

[Galted]

Have to feel a bit for Basson there, did all the hard work & his team-mate tries to nick the glory.

[Galted]

Am guessing that finishing isn't Engelbrecht's strong point.

[wales606]

South African wingers have cut Italy apart, it's a real pity because they have competed well everywhere else.

[wales606]

South Africa have been awful at the restart.

[wales606]

Owww

I feel really bad for Italy, that score line is not reflective of the game, especially with that intercept

The South African back 3 have been inspired

44 - 10

[Galted]

Score a bit harsh on Italy in the end, thought they came back well after a landslide was on the cards after the first 20. Pretty decent game though.

[MMaaxx]

Easy enough. Boks never needed to get out of second gear. Typical first match of the season. Well played Italy who controlled the middle of the game well.

Good result for the Boks considering 8+ missing players and shot prep time.

Good debuts for all

[kingraf]

Habana is a special player though. And this is coming from someone who wanted him dropped 2010-11. But since last year, he has been on a tear.

[Cyril]

Good win for SA. It's not often you see their scrum destroyed though.

[Mr Fishpaste]

Good win for SA. It's not often you see their scrum destroyed though.

Who would've thought the day would come when Bok forwards don't impress, and the game is won by the Boks' electric back three!!!

Anyways, Jannie Du Plessis has played too much rugby (virtually every Sharks and Bok game in the last two years), and on top of this he still works a day-job...the guy needs a break.

[MMaaxx]

Highlights:

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jlOXKnYHavY

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