The Boks scored a number of good tries, with Edwill van der Merwe getting two in his second Test.
Edwill van der Merwe was one of the Springboks’ try-scorers against Italy. Picture: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
The Springboks beat Italy 45-0 in the second Test in Gqeberha on Saturday to wrap up the series 2-0.
The reigning two-time world champions won the first Test in Pretoria last week 42-24.
Coach Rassie Erasmus had made several changes to his side for this weekend’s match, with Salmaan Moerat captaining the outfit, while three players, namely Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Cobus Wiese and Ethan Hooker, all made their debuts from the bench.
Fullback Willie le Roux won his 100th Test cap.
The Boks were completely dominant over the match, scoring seven tries, with Edwill van der Merwe getting two in his second Test. Manie Libbok kicked five conversions.
The Boks were reduced to playing with 14 men for most of the match after Jasper Wiese was red-carded in the first half for head on head contact.
The Boks face Georgia in Mbombela next week.
Below is how The Citizen reported on the match.
South Africa v Italy — LIVE UPDATES
Live updates from the match in Gqeberha will appear below. To see the latest posts please refresh.
Teams
South Africa: Willie le Roux; Edwill van der Merwe, Canan Moodie, Andre Esterhuizen, Makazole Mapimpi; Manie Libbok, Grant Williams; Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden; Ruan Nortje, Salmaan Moerat (capt); Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Thomas du Toit. Bench: Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Ox Nche, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Cobus Wiese, Evan Roos, Cobus Reinach, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Ethan Hooker
Coach: Rassie Erasmus (RSA)
Italy: Mirko Belloni; Louis Lynagh, Tommaso Menoncello, Marco Zanon, Jacopo Trulla; Giacomo Da Re, Alessandro Garbisi; Ross Vintcent, Manuel Zuliani, Sebastian Negri; Andrea Zambonin, Niccolo Cannone (capt); Simone Ferrari, Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, Danilo Fischetti. Bench: Pablo Dimcheff, Mirco Spagnolo, Muhamed Hasa, Matteo Canali, Alessandro Izekor, David Odiase, Stephen Varney, Giulio Bertaccini
Coach: Gonzalo Quesada (ARG)
