Scrappy Boks beat Italy

The Springboksa claimed a record 12th straight win over Italy, with a performance that left much to be desired. Photo by:Paolo Giovannini/AP

The Springboksa claimed a record 12th straight win over Italy, with a performance that left much to be desired. Photo by:Paolo Giovannini/AP

Published Nov 22, 2014

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PADUA, Italy – Coenie Oosthuizen, Cobus Reinach and Bryan Habana provided the only tries as South Africa claimed a record 12th straight win over Italy, a scrappy 22-6 affair in Padua on Saturday.

A week after a stirring 31-28 defeat of England at Twickenham, South Africa were expected to steamroller a misfiring Azzurri side following a try-less 20-18 defeat to Argentina in Genoa.

But despite finishing on a high when Habana touched over in the 79th minute, the potent, flowing game expected from Heyneke Meyer's visitors failed to materialise.

With Italy still sorely lacking in the try-scoring department, all of their points came from the boot of New Zealand-born fly-half Kelly Haimona, who also missed two long-range penalty attempts in either half.

In total, Haimona kicked 35 of Italy's 48 points from their three tests in November.

After a promising start from both sides Italy spurned an early chance to take the lead when Haimona's penalty stopped short of the target.

From 50 metres out, the fly-half's miss was forgiven barely two minutes later when the Springboks' scrum collapsed under pressure from the Italian pack 10 metres outside their 22.

This time, Haimona stepped up confidently to plant the ball between the uprights to give the hosts a 3-0 lead on 12 minutes.

South Africa were soon back on level terms when a series of powerful drives inside the Azzurri 22 gave the hosts a penalty barely 10 metres out following an infringement on Habana.

Patrick Lambie stepped up to level with an easy conversion on the quarter hour.

South African had their opening try just before the half-hour, Oosthuizen throwing the ball over the line with one hand despite a tackle by Leonardo Sarto a metre from the line. Lambie missed the conversion from the left flank.

Italy suffered a blow just before half-time when experienced prop Matias Aguero was forced off through injury and replaced by Alberto De Marchi.

But at the tail end of what had been a scrappy opening half, Italy were handed a lifeline with a line-out on South Africa's 22.

After waiting for the 'Mexican-wave' to abate, Haimona kicked his second, and last penalty of the game to reduce arrears to 8-6.

South Africa looked liberated after the restart when a series of runs and moves had the Italians pinned inside the own 22, until Edoardo Gori came to the rescue when he collected a chip to kick downfield for a lineout at the halfway line.

The visitors could have stretched their lead on 51 minutes but Lambie opted to kick the ball out for a line-out at the corner after winning a penalty for an Italy infringement at the maul.

The Italian crowd were on their feet when the hosts won the scrum and full-back Andrea Masi launched a charge downfield to offloaded to big No 8 Sergio Parisse but he was brought crashing down on the 22.

Italy eventually turned the ball over and after a Boks' infringement at the ruck the hosts won a penalty at the halfway line, although Haimona's effort came up short.

The game turned in South Africa's favour two minutes later when Mismarck Du Plessis charge found Nizaam Carr now in space.

When he was charged to the ground, he threw to Reinach for the scrum half to claim his second try in a week.

From in front of the posts Handre Pollard fired over an easy conversion to give South Africa a nine-point lead just before the hour mark.

Italy battled, with Parisse notably showing some promise late on, but the hosts simply did not get back into the game.

South Africa finished well when Pollard bursts up field before finding Habana wide on the left with a superb throw for winger to claim his 57th test try, with Pollard adding the easy conversion.– Sapa-AFP

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