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'He is the most respected individual I've ever seen inside the All Blacks'
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South Africa survive yet another red card to beat Italy in Turin
By Ian Cameron
South Africa absorbed a long spell of numerical disadvantage to beat Italy 32–14 in wet, awkward conditions at the Allianz Stadium in Turin.
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The visitors lost Franco Mostert to a permanent red card after 12 minutes yet still found enough control, organisation and accuracy to close out a game that remained competitive deep into the second half.
Italy had the better of the early territory and possession. Their kicking game forced South Africa to cover large patches of backfield while the Azzurri’s scrum pressure drew early changes from Rassie Erasmus’ front row.
Fly-half Paolo Garbisi missed two kickable chances in that opening period, letting the Boks off the hook ruining the chance to give Italy a useful foothold in the game.
Handré Pollard nudged South Africa in front with a penalty in the 33rd minute after an earlier drop goal attempt was chalked off for obstruction.
Italy levelled shortly before the break, but the pivotal moment of the half came on the stroke of half-time when Italy conceded a free kick at a defensive scrum. South Africa took the tap, worked the short side and Marco van Staden finished for the Boks’ first try. Pollard converted to carry a 10–3 lead into the break.
Italy responded with penalties in the 42nd and 52nd minutes, closing the gap to a single point at 10–9 while South Africa briefly dropped to 13 players following van Staden’s yellow card.
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The visitors steadied, however, and Pollard pushed the margin back out with another three-pointer.
A second Italian card, this time f0or Lorenzo Cannone for a head contact, handed South Africa a decent attacking platform. They declined an easy shot at goal, opted for the scrum and were rewarded when Morne van den Berg sniped through for a converted try on the hour.
Ange Capuozzo’s sharp line cut the margin to 20–14 with 15 minutes left, raising the prospect of an inprobable late swing.
However, South Africa shut that down efficiently. Grant Williams finished off a counter sparked by Canan Moodie in the 71st minute, before Ethan Hooker claimed the bonus-point try in the final minute from a Manie Libbok cross-kick.
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