Italy 10 Springboks 32
Keo.co.zo brought you live commentary from the Springboks’ second European Tour Test in Udine.
Final score: Italy 10 Springboks 32
79 mins: The Boks run their last attack of the game as the ball is passed out wide to JP Pietersen. The wing puts a chip through, but his grubber goes into touch and the referee blows the final whistle. The Boks look relieved after returrning to winning ways. The Boks win 32-10!
73 mins: Springbok try! From a 22m lineout, Du Preez finds a hole in Italy’s defensive line after fooling the home side with a dummy. 5m from the line, the No 9 offloads the ball to replacement centre Wynand Olivier on his outside and he dives over for the Boks’ fourth try. Ruan Pienaar adds the two points. 32-10 to the Boks!
71 mins: With the front row of BJ Botha, Smit and Beast on the field, the Boks win their first battle at the scrum as the Italians are driven back and penalised.
64 mins: Steyn restores the Boks’ 15-point lead by kicking his second penalty. 25-10 to the Boks!
58 mins: John Smit is penalised at the breakdown after competing for the ball off his feet. This allows Gower to kick Italy’s first points of the second stanza. 22-10 to the Boks!
52 mins: Springbok try! Good continuity and hands from the Boks creates a try-scoring opportunity. Danie Rossouw offloads to Fourie, who passes to Habana and the wing cuts inside. He then passes the ball to the unmarked Fourie Du Preez and the scrumhalf makes good run to the try line to beat the Italian’s cover defence. Steyn kicks the conversion over. 22-7 to the Boks!
48 mins: The Boks’ forwards are penalised at the scrum once again as the Italians clearly have the upper hand, but McLean’s woes with the boot continues and the No 15 puts his attempt wide. Italy would have been ahead if they had a more accurate kicker.
46 mins: Italy’s ill-discipline at the breakdown gives Steyn an opportunity to kick the first points of the second half. The pivot slots the penalty and adds three points to the Boks’ score. 15-7 to the Boks!
42 mins: There’s early worries for the Boks as Italy steal the visitor’s put in to the scrum. Italy’s dominance at the scrum continues as the Boks concede a free kick in their second attempt a few minutes later.
Half-time: Italy 7 Springboks 12
39 mins: The Boks get a penalty on the stroke of half-time. Steyn kicks a good attempt but the pivots fails to hit the target. This proves to be the last action of the first stanza.
37 mins: The Boks lack composure in attack as they drop the ball behind on two consecutive backline moves. This sees Italy steal momentum and results in a penalty awarded to the home side. Fullback Luke McLean, however, misses his first attempt and lets the visitors off the hook.
32 mins: Italy try! From a lineout in the Boks’ 22, the Italians gain a few metres towards the try line. The home side then pass the ball through the backline and good interplay in the midfield sees centre Gonzalo Garcia cut the Boks’ defence and scores underneath the goal posts. Craig Gower slots the conversion. 12-7 to the Boks!
25 mins: The Italians spark an attack and break into the Boks’ 22. Italy find themselves 5m from the Boks’ try line, but master poacher Heinrich Brussow makes a crucial steal and Steyn manages to clear the ball.
22 mins: The Boks’ pack held their own in the first scrum in the 20th minute, but are out-scrummed and penalised in the second two minutes later. The home crowd roar as they see the Italians dominate the Bok heavies.
14 mins: Springbok try! The Boks steal possession and set up a counter attack. The ball is passed through the hands to Habana, who draws in two defenders on the sideline and puts Jaque Fourie into a gap. The centre touches down under the posts and Steyn adds the extras. 12-0 to the Boks!
5 mins: Springbok try! Ryan Kankowski beats one defender and makes a good step to penetrate the Italy’s defence. The flank then offloads to Bryan Habana and the speedster puts on the gas and has a clear run for the first try in the corner. 5-0 to the Boks!
3 mins: The Boks have the chance to score the first points of the match as the Italians are penalised for a late challenge, but Steyn’s attempt hits the post.
1 min: It’s a good, high kickoff from Morne Steyn and the Italians let it bounce. Once the ball is recovered by the home side, the Boks’ manage to force Italy out into touch on the 22m line.
Italy – 15 Luke McLean, 14 Matteo Pratichetti, 13 Alberto Sgarbi, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Mirco Bergamasco, 10 Craig Gower, 9 Simon Picone; 8 Sergio Parisse (c), 7 Alessandro Zanni, 6 Simone Favaro, 5 Quintin Geldenhuys, 4 Carlo Antonio Del Fava, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Fabio Ongaro, 1 Salvatore Perugini.
Subs: 16 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 17 Ignacio Rouyet, 18 Antonio Pavanello, 19 Josh Sole, 20 Mauro Bergamasco, 21 Tito Tebaldi, 22 Gonzalo Canale.
Springboks – 15 Zane Kirchner, 14 JP Pietersen, 13 Jaque Fourie, 12 Adi Jacobs, 11 Bryan Habana, 10 Morné Steyn, 9 Fourie du Preez, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Danie Rossouw, 6 Heinrich Brüssow, 5 Andries Bekker, 4 Bakkies Botha, 3 John Smit (c), 2 Adriaan Strauss, 1 Wian du Preez.
Subs: 16 Beast Mtawarira , 17 BJ Botha, 18 Victor Matfield, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Francois Hougaard, 21 Ruan Pienaar, 22 Wynand Olivier.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:03 pm
Congratulations, finally a win! Cheers!
November 21st, 2009 at 6:05 pm
Drop Bismark thats the simple answer all other problems solved.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:06 pm
252
Agree skoppie, It HAS to be done!
November 21st, 2009 at 6:14 pm
#251 skopskiet: that’ll be one less yellowcard waiting to happen
November 21st, 2009 at 6:15 pm
#248 WP_:
his kicking today was very poor…in italy they use a different ball to everybody else who knows?
#247 Uil:
danie looks a much better player at 8 he is lost at seven…
November 21st, 2009 at 6:17 pm
#251 skopskiet:
the linouts looked better than they have in a while with mit throwing in fast front foot ball from the end of the lineout for the backs…
November 21st, 2009 at 6:17 pm
I said it before and I will again. Smit is a number 2. Our scrums are more solid when he is in the middle. He is just a better scrumager that Bismark. I like Bismark, but he has been of his game lately. Let’s see what happens in the future.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:18 pm
And seems BJ is the missing link even Beast coming on late is the right way round fresh Beast is far more effective against tiring tight head after Du Preez and Smit do the early business. Liebenberg at 2 first half would be even better than Strauss.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Danie had a moment of magic releasing Jaque Fourie down the wing.
Great skills from the big guy. Decent performance from him.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:22 pm
258 skop
Agreed with all of that. Bismarck gives away too many penalties for my liking, or has done recently, and we certainly didnt miss him today whatsoever.
I’d have him on the bench next week…
November 21st, 2009 at 6:23 pm
Those straight direct throws of Smit to Roussouw at back of line out is whats been missing. Led direct to WO try easy as pie Fdp gets quick ball off Roussouw beats inside backs off load to WO at centre and its a 1. 2. 3 easy as pie try.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:27 pm
#260 skopskiet: I though Victor fed the ball to FdP?
November 21st, 2009 at 6:46 pm
WC 2011 22.
F.Steyn
JP.Pieterson
J.Fourie
W.Olivier
B.Habana
M.Steyn
F.du Preez
P.Spies
J.Smith
H.Brussouw
V.Matfield
B.Botha
BJ.Botha
J.Smit
B.Marateriwa
B.du Plessis
W.du Preez
D.Rossouw
S.Burger or J.Deysel
R.Pienaar
J.de Jongh
L.Mapoe
I assume that J.de Villiers wont be playing, if he is, he will be 12.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:50 pm
well, i guess we know who is still the best scrummaging TH in the country.
BJ is perfect for NH conditions, he is the rock around which the boks built their scrum when they broke their duck at twickenham in 2006, with cj playing LH.
Well JW always reckon Smit should have kept playing 2.
I just cannot see how one can leave Bismarck out.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:51 pm
castro def got one over wian, but when deysel, bj and beast came on, i dont think castro gone back like that in ages.
for godsake, no more kankowsi, play deysel against ireland.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:54 pm
I was supprised that FdP didn’t get Man of Match award. J.Fourie did play well, so thats ok! 2 world class players, best in their positions.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Gunther…cab….rangerman….shatks lover….
Grant 10 rests his case your honour…..
Lets see if there are honorable men who will admit that a decent proper 3 makes the difference.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:55 pm
#264 cab: Agree, Deysel much better choise than Kanko. Johnson would also be a better choise.
November 21st, 2009 at 6:56 pm
choice, not choise!
November 21st, 2009 at 7:00 pm
#266 grant10:
grant10 go rest your case already, the scrum has been an obvious problem for ages and its not only a decent TH, of which the only one is playing in the NH, its the fact that italy get an 8-man shove on everutime while kanko and brussow are heads up and out.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:03 pm
#269 cab: Cab…..a simple i was wrong and Smit has and never will be a 2 woould be the answer….
Seems you lack a bit of grace my man??
November 21st, 2009 at 7:03 pm
A 3 i mean….Heavens he must never wear the 3 shirt again!!
November 21st, 2009 at 7:08 pm
So they faked an injury to their reserve tight head when Beast and BJ came on so that they could get Castro back on, next thing Castro is going backward at 50 mph and taking a cheap chirp at Beast who obviously weren’t very impressed, must a been some bit of something not so kosher said betwixt and between all the back peddling he was doing.
BJ made all the difference no two ways about it, and with Smits weight adv at 2, with two stocky powerful props either side, thats exactly what you want, none of these tall fat ungainly front rankers.
BJ’s solidity and Beast on the other end is the way to go, next best is WP Nel and Blaauw or Vd Merwe.
But real problem is Bismark or Strauss in the middle, exactly what Visagie was hinting at. Have 2 powerful props and a strong scrummaging low down hooking package at 2, ala Smit or Liebenberg, and problem solved, no more turbo reverse.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:09 pm
#269 cab: Cant see the weakness in Smit can you?
Hell i am not sure what more it will take ….
Bloody good hooker…thats the way to go…..
Or do you prefer turbo reverse scrums?
November 21st, 2009 at 7:09 pm
Grant!
JS must be 2 till WC 2011! Bissie can be on the bench, impact player role I think. He gives away WAY too many penalties imo.
John is a great hooker… Average 3
November 21st, 2009 at 7:10 pm
#272 skopskiet: Thank Heavens a man with vision….hell…seems me some okes cant see Fall even if its right in front of there eyes!!
November 21st, 2009 at 7:12 pm
#274 WP_: Average 3 ,,,,,are you blind….he is not a 3 at all…..useless wannabee 3 …fark boet….2 or bench or retirement…
November 21st, 2009 at 7:13 pm
G’Day all!
Smit should play, no doubt. Bismark off the bench.
Beast
Smit
Botha
What did you guys think of Wian?
November 21st, 2009 at 7:15 pm
#270 grant10:
there is no need for it, i simply have never bought into your short-sighted approach, and i still believe it is wrong.
What you miss here, is that PdV has a policy whereby he normally does not select NH players, and this is why i thought BJ was out of the running, he is clearly SA best TH and i certainly dont need you to tell me that, in fact you never have. My problem is that other than BJ, there is no-one who i think is that much better than Smit and so to get Bismarck into the tight 5 it was not a bad compromise, which saw SA have probably the best year since the pro era began.
comprende?
November 21st, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Love the okes out the woodwork….not such a bloody treasonable traitor anymore….thank heavens….
VINDICATION…
Long road to freedom i tell you…
BJ you BEAUTY!!
November 21st, 2009 at 7:15 pm
272 skop
Agreed on all counts! Hopefully PdV sees what we do! Bismarck is a weak scrummager!
276 grant
I’m not blind boet, but even a blind man could see that JS’s best position, by bloody miles!
JS poor at 3 but what happens if you want to bring on Bissie from the bench in the last 20? legitimate question…
November 21st, 2009 at 7:16 pm
#278 cab: Smit is and never has been a 3….
Verstaan??
November 21st, 2009 at 7:17 pm
#280 WP_: Then ….if you have to have Smit on the field [ which i disagree with ] move Smit to 1….
Please Rugby Gods never to 3 again….
Please!!!
November 21st, 2009 at 7:18 pm
#273 grant10:
lol…now he’s a bladdy good hooker is he?
hell you were calling for his retirment just last week, telling us that it is the ‘honorable’ thing to do, that he was apparently an honrable man and would do the honorable things and all that other honorable horsemanue you spewed…but then a few days later you blew cold again and called him a dishonrable so and so for his book and what an awful twatty-watty he was.
now please, clear it up, once and for all, what are you trying to say?
also what happens if BJ gets done in the scrums against ireland?
reemeber this conversation.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Wian had a solid if unspectacular debut.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:19 pm
#281 grant10:
how would you know grant?
you dont know the first f’ckin thing about forward play.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:21 pm
Grant…
How, in your opinion, is 1 different to 3. I’d love to find out…
Smit MUST stay on for the whole 80 in big games. Remember the first test against the Lions. Nuff said.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:22 pm
#283 cab: Smit to 2….and he needs to compete there and show he is the best…
Smit never ever never farken ever to 3….unrealistic ask of him….surely you now accept that….
Tightheads….horses for courses….Wp Nel….CJ and BJ….
Heinke….beast and Wiaan at 1….
Never ever Smit at 3…never!
Verstaan??
November 21st, 2009 at 7:22 pm
#284 WP_: Thought so 2. But that is fine, not many props fire from the word go. Think he should be back-up for Beast though. Guthro went off the boil.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:23 pm
#286 WP_: Massive difference….ask Os….!!
November 21st, 2009 at 7:24 pm
Fact is that we need Smit on the field for 80 in big games. His best position is 2, and he can cover for 3. Bismark on the bench.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Cab….seems you lack the balls to admit when you wrong….
I was wrong at F Steyn at 10
You were wrong with Brussow at
And Smit
You will never fromnt up
You a bit of a wally i reckon….
Anyway…cheers
Nite out
The beer will be sweet…a bok win and a point proven….
November 21st, 2009 at 7:26 pm
#289 grant10: Think what he meant was that it would be equally difficult to expect a hooker to play 1 or 3. We all know there is a big difference between 1 and 3.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:26 pm
#287 grant10:
tell me something, have you ever actually played in the pack?
i mean i know you a flyhalf and all, but ****** why is it the backs have always got the biggest yappers about frontrow play when they know absolutely sweet f;all about it?
November 21st, 2009 at 7:27 pm
289 Johan Fourie
Agree with that, he survived well at international level in his debut. That’s encouraging… Guthro is over the hill in my opinion, he has regressed big time…
290 Grant10
Os knows there is, I know there is. I’m asking if YOU know if there is, seeing that your seem to think that you are the all knowing scrum guru all of a sudden?
November 21st, 2009 at 7:27 pm
#291 grant10: Sometimes one needs to be humble. We are all “right” sometimes.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:27 pm
#291 grant10:
yeah and you need to reel your head back in.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:28 pm
Bismark gotta get dropped, Liebenberg a better option at reserve 2 all the way round. Bismark is another loosie not a great front row forward.
Start Du Preez, Liebenberg, Smit, finish Blaauw/Heinke, Smit, Beast, thats if BJ not available.
Or get Heinke/Blaauw up to scratch and start Heinke, Smit, WP Nel and finish, Beast, Smit, Nel/Buys
November 21st, 2009 at 7:29 pm
I’m out! Much better Bokke.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:29 pm
#290 Johan Fourie: Barney’s value as a captain is overstated.
In the professional era every player knows what to do.
Cappies job is to influence the ref, make calls on kicks or scrums and little else. If anything his ability to get the team from plan A to plan B is suspect.
Off the field it is a different matter, there he shines as a captain.
Fact is we can’t afford the big guy any more, even at 2.