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France 24
12-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Springboks overcome Wiese red card to crush Italy
Wiese was sent off after 22 minutes for head-butting prop Danilo Fischetti in a penalty-riddled match that also saw one South African and two Italians yellow-carded. At one stage in the second half at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium it was 13 versus 15 after Springboks prop Wilco Louw was yellow-carded. Fischetti followed Louw to the sin bin three minutes later and replacement loose forward David Odiase was yellow-carded in the closing stages. "I am really pleased, and I am sure my teammates are also thrilled that we could deliver a performance like that," said Springboks captain and lock Salmaan Moerat. "We knew the threat the Italians posed. They are a quality side who made it really hard for us last week, and also this week, especially when we were down one man early in the game. "I thought we did really well to show character and pull through. The boys really played with heart tonight." le Roux becomes centurion Italy captain and lock Niccolo Cannone said: "It was a very tough game, we know the level of the Springboks. I am proud of my team, but we have to improve many things because this is a high level. "We fought until the end, but we fell too far behind in the fist half to have a realistic chance of victory and levelling the series." Amid the disciplinary mayhem, full-back Willie le Roux became the eighth Springbok to win 100 caps. He received rapturous applause when substituted midway through the second half. Back Ethan Hooker and forwards Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Cobus Wiese -- a brother of Jasper -- made their Test debuts off the bench in a second half that became increasingly scrappy. A South African side showing 11 changes to the starting line-up after a mixed first Test performance last weekend scored seven tries to the delight of the capacity 44,282 crowd. Winger Edwill van der Merwe, recalled after a 13-month absence, scored twice in the first half and won the player of the match award. Scrum-half Grant Williams and centre Canan Moodie also crossed the tryline. After missing his first two conversions with kicks that veered left of the near post, fly-half Manie Libbok succeeded with the next two and South Africa led 24-0 at half-time. The record four-time Rugby World Cup winners added another three tries in the second half through hooker Malcolm Marx, winger Makazole Mapimpi and replacement hooker Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Libbok converted them all to finish with a personal tally of 10 points, and his mix of kicking and running was impressive in an electric atmosphere. Italy, fielding only five of the starters in a narrow Six Nations Championship loss to Ireland last March, rarely threatened to score and conceded many penalties.
The 42
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Van den Berg strikes twice as South Africa beat Italy
SCRUM-HALF MORNE van den Berg scored two tries as Rugby World Cup holders South Africa beat Italy 42-24 in Pretoria in the first of two Tests. Winning his third cap, the 27-year-old half-back from the Johannesburg-based Lions also impressed with his tactical kicking and won the player of the match award. It was a game of two halves with the Springboks using their scrum power to score four tries and build a 28-3 lead by half-time in front of a near-capacity crowd at the 52,000-capacity Loftus Versfeld. Two of those tries came when Italy were temporarily reduced to 14 men after No 8 Lorenzo Cannone was sin-binned by Scottish referee Hollie Davidson. South Africa's Morne van den Berg kicks as Andrea Zambonin tries to block the ball. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo Much-improved Italy outscored the record four-time World Cup winners by three tries to two in the second half despite fielding an experimental team with numerous first choices remaining in Europe. 'We knew it would be tough because Italy are an extremely passionate side. We certainly did not write them off and they showed why tonight,' South Africa captain and centre Jesse Kriel said. Advertisement 'There is lots for us to work on. In the first half we started strong, but in the second half they defended like their life depended on it. So it was very tough, but it always is at Test level. 'We let ourselves down a bit at the breakdown. They defended very well, but we wanted quick ball to attack with. They frustrated us and we have a lot of work to do there.' Italy captain and lock Niccolo Cannone said: 'We are very happy with our performance. It was a very tough, physical game. But we are happy, although there are some details to improve for next weekend. 'We know the guys we were playing against because we play them a lot in the United Rugby Championship. But this is another type of game and they are different when they wear that (Springbok) jersey.' Victory continued the 100% record of South Africa when hosting Italy, but it was the second smallest winning margin in eight Tests since 1999. The other Springbok try scorers were Kriel, winger Kurt-Lee Arendse, replacement prop Vincent Koch and flanker Marco van Staden. It was a special moment for tighthead Koch when he barged over as he notched his first try for South Africa while winning his 62nd cap. South Africa's Vincent Tshituka. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo The outstanding try came from Arendse, who raced through the Italian defence from midfield to score after impressive Test debutant Vincent Tshituka won a lineout. Veteran out-half Handre Pollard slotted all six conversions, raising his total for the Springboks to 784 points in 81 Tests. Flanker Manuel Zuliani, replacement hooker Pablo Dimcheff on debut and Niccolo Cannone scored tries for the Azzurri. Out-half Giacomo Da Re kicked three conversions and a penalty for Italy, whose starting line-up included only five of the team beaten by Ireland in their last 2025 Six Nations Championship match. When Da Re converted the Cannone try with 11 minutes remaining, there were only 11 points between the teams, raising the possibility of a stunning victory for the visitors. But the Springboks put the outcome beyond doubt on 74 minutes when Van Staden powered his way over the line and Pollard maintained his perfect record from the kicking tee. The second Test is scheduled for Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in eastern coastal city Gqeberha next Saturday. – © AFP 2025
The Advertiser
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Sloppy Springboks struggle to see off battling Italy
South Africa laboured but still ran in six tries to secure a 42-24 victory over an inexperienced Italy side at Loftus Versfeld, as scrumhalf Morne van den Berg crossed the line twice in a stand-out performance. The world champions were sloppy and often beaten at the breakdown and line-out as Italy put up a brave fight and heading into the final 10 minutes were still in the match against their vastly more experienced hosts. Jesse Kriel, winger Kurt-Lee Arendse, prop Vincent Koch and flanker Marco van Staden also scored tries for the Springboks, who will seek an improved performance in next week's second test in Gqeberha. Italy looked shellshocked as they trailed 28-3 at halftime, but they were much improved in the second period as flanker Manuel Zuliani, debutant replacement hooker Pablo Dimcheff and captain Niccolo Cannone all scored tries. "There will be disappointment in tonight's performance," Springboks scrumhalf Faf de Klerk said. "Italy really made it hard for us at the breakdown, their forwards were phenomenal. We must look at it in the week and fix it for the next game." South Africa were dominant in the first half, pushing Italy off the ball in the scrum and scoring four tries. Kriel raced onto a grubber kick from midfield partner Damian de Allende to dot down and after Italy number eight Lorenzo Cannone received a yellow card for hands in the ruck, Van den Berg dived over from a powerful Springbok scrum. Arendse burst through a gap in the visitors' defence to score his side's third try, and Van den Berg added another as the Springboks cut holes in their opponents' defence. Italy scored the first points of the second half when Zuliani stretched to score a try, but replacement prop Koch barged his way over for the hosts. Argentine-born Dimcheff finished off an excellent driving maul for Italy's second try, and when captain Niccolo Cannone added as third for the visitors, it was game on. Van Staden's score ended Italian hopes, but there were many positives for touring side. "I am very happy with the performance," Niccolo Cannone said. "We have to improve some details for next week, but we are very proud." South Africa laboured but still ran in six tries to secure a 42-24 victory over an inexperienced Italy side at Loftus Versfeld, as scrumhalf Morne van den Berg crossed the line twice in a stand-out performance. The world champions were sloppy and often beaten at the breakdown and line-out as Italy put up a brave fight and heading into the final 10 minutes were still in the match against their vastly more experienced hosts. Jesse Kriel, winger Kurt-Lee Arendse, prop Vincent Koch and flanker Marco van Staden also scored tries for the Springboks, who will seek an improved performance in next week's second test in Gqeberha. Italy looked shellshocked as they trailed 28-3 at halftime, but they were much improved in the second period as flanker Manuel Zuliani, debutant replacement hooker Pablo Dimcheff and captain Niccolo Cannone all scored tries. "There will be disappointment in tonight's performance," Springboks scrumhalf Faf de Klerk said. "Italy really made it hard for us at the breakdown, their forwards were phenomenal. We must look at it in the week and fix it for the next game." South Africa were dominant in the first half, pushing Italy off the ball in the scrum and scoring four tries. Kriel raced onto a grubber kick from midfield partner Damian de Allende to dot down and after Italy number eight Lorenzo Cannone received a yellow card for hands in the ruck, Van den Berg dived over from a powerful Springbok scrum. Arendse burst through a gap in the visitors' defence to score his side's third try, and Van den Berg added another as the Springboks cut holes in their opponents' defence. Italy scored the first points of the second half when Zuliani stretched to score a try, but replacement prop Koch barged his way over for the hosts. Argentine-born Dimcheff finished off an excellent driving maul for Italy's second try, and when captain Niccolo Cannone added as third for the visitors, it was game on. Van Staden's score ended Italian hopes, but there were many positives for touring side. "I am very happy with the performance," Niccolo Cannone said. "We have to improve some details for next week, but we are very proud." South Africa laboured but still ran in six tries to secure a 42-24 victory over an inexperienced Italy side at Loftus Versfeld, as scrumhalf Morne van den Berg crossed the line twice in a stand-out performance. The world champions were sloppy and often beaten at the breakdown and line-out as Italy put up a brave fight and heading into the final 10 minutes were still in the match against their vastly more experienced hosts. Jesse Kriel, winger Kurt-Lee Arendse, prop Vincent Koch and flanker Marco van Staden also scored tries for the Springboks, who will seek an improved performance in next week's second test in Gqeberha. Italy looked shellshocked as they trailed 28-3 at halftime, but they were much improved in the second period as flanker Manuel Zuliani, debutant replacement hooker Pablo Dimcheff and captain Niccolo Cannone all scored tries. "There will be disappointment in tonight's performance," Springboks scrumhalf Faf de Klerk said. "Italy really made it hard for us at the breakdown, their forwards were phenomenal. We must look at it in the week and fix it for the next game." South Africa were dominant in the first half, pushing Italy off the ball in the scrum and scoring four tries. Kriel raced onto a grubber kick from midfield partner Damian de Allende to dot down and after Italy number eight Lorenzo Cannone received a yellow card for hands in the ruck, Van den Berg dived over from a powerful Springbok scrum. Arendse burst through a gap in the visitors' defence to score his side's third try, and Van den Berg added another as the Springboks cut holes in their opponents' defence. Italy scored the first points of the second half when Zuliani stretched to score a try, but replacement prop Koch barged his way over for the hosts. Argentine-born Dimcheff finished off an excellent driving maul for Italy's second try, and when captain Niccolo Cannone added as third for the visitors, it was game on. Van Staden's score ended Italian hopes, but there were many positives for touring side. "I am very happy with the performance," Niccolo Cannone said. "We have to improve some details for next week, but we are very proud."
Perth Now
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Sloppy Springboks struggle to see off battling Italy
South Africa's Morne van den Berg scored two tries as the Springboks fended off Italy in Pretoria. (AP PHOTO) South Africa's Morne van den Berg scored two tries as the Springboks fended off Italy in Pretoria. (AP PHOTO) Credit: AAP South Africa laboured but still ran in six tries to secure a 42-24 victory over an inexperienced Italy side at Loftus Versfeld, as scrumhalf Morne van den Berg crossed the line twice in a stand-out performance. The world champions were sloppy and often beaten at the breakdown and line-out as Italy put up a brave fight and heading into the final 10 minutes were still in the match against their vastly more experienced hosts. Jesse Kriel, winger Kurt-Lee Arendse, prop Vincent Koch and flanker Marco van Staden also scored tries for the Springboks, who will seek an improved performance in next week's second test in Gqeberha. Italy looked shellshocked as they trailed 28-3 at halftime, but they were much improved in the second period as flanker Manuel Zuliani, debutant replacement hooker Pablo Dimcheff and captain Niccolo Cannone all scored tries. "There will be disappointment in tonight's performance," Springboks scrumhalf Faf de Klerk said. "Italy really made it hard for us at the breakdown, their forwards were phenomenal. We must look at it in the week and fix it for the next game." South Africa were dominant in the first half, pushing Italy off the ball in the scrum and scoring four tries. Kriel raced onto a grubber kick from midfield partner Damian de Allende to dot down and after Italy number eight Lorenzo Cannone received a yellow card for hands in the ruck, Van den Berg dived over from a powerful Springbok scrum. Arendse burst through a gap in the visitors' defence to score his side's third try, and Van den Berg added another as the Springboks cut holes in their opponents' defence. Italy scored the first points of the second half when Zuliani stretched to score a try, but replacement prop Koch barged his way over for the hosts. Argentine-born Dimcheff finished off an excellent driving maul for Italy's second try, and when captain Niccolo Cannone added as third for the visitors, it was game on. Van Staden's score ended Italian hopes, but there were many positives for touring side. "I am very happy with the performance," Niccolo Cannone said. "We have to improve some details for next week, but we are very proud."
CNA
03-07-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Italy test new combinations against South Africa in Pretoria
Italy have selected Giacomo Da Re at flyhalf and three debutants on the bench against South Africa in Pretoria on Saturday, naming a side missing several regulars as coach Gonzalo Quesada looks to widen his talent pool at Loftus Versfeld. Lock Niccolo Cannone will lead the team with tour captain Giacomo Nicotera missing out following a rib injury sustained in training. Loose forward Sebastian Negri, who spent much of his childhood in South Africa, also misses out with a niggle. Da Re will add to his three caps as part of a halfback pairing with Alessandro Fusco, while Marco Zanon and Tommaso Menoncello are the two centres. Wings Simone Gesi and Louis Lynagh make up the back three with fullback Jacopo Trulla. Hooker Tommaso Di Bartolomeo will pack down in the front row of the scrum with Danilo Fischetti and Simone Ferrari, while Cannone plays alongside fellow lock Andrea Zambonin, who returns from a long injury lay-off. The back row of the scrum features number eight Lorenzo Cannone and flankers Alessandro Izekor and Manuel Zuliani. Hooker Pablo Dimcheff, prop Matteo Canali and flanker David Odiase are all due to make their debuts off the bench after Quesada selected a 6-2 split between forwards and backs among his replacements. South Africa have won 15 of their 16 tests against Italy and last hosted their opponents in 2013. The single Italian success came in the autumn of 2016 when they won 20-18 in Florence. Italy team: 15-Jacopo Trulla, 14-Louis Lynagh, 13-Tommaso Menoncello, 12-Marco Zanon, 11-Simone Gesi, 10-Giacomo Da Re, 9-Alessandro Fusco, 8-Lorenzo Cannone, 7-Manuel Zuliani, 6-Alessandro Izekor, 5-Andrea Zambonin, 4-Niccolo Cannone (captain), 3-Simone Ferrari, 2-Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 1-Danilo Fischetti
