Boks complete Italian job
A brace from Bismarck Du Plessis helped world champions South Africa dispatch a young Italian side 26-0 in the Cape Town rain.
By Steve Pass
Last Updated: 21/06/08 4:51pm
A brace from Bismarck Du Plessis helped world champions South Africa dispatch a young Italian team 26-0 in the one-off Test in Cape Town.
The Springboks scored four tries to complete their Tri-Nations preparations as steady rain - which continued throughout most of the game - made playing conditions difficult.
The comfortable victory was the third win in a row for new coach Peter de Villiers, following the recent 2-0 series win over Wales .
The Springboks took the lead in the sixth minute through Steyn, who started at fly-half, one of six changes to the side which defeated Wales last week.
Great run
His score came after winger Bryan Habana made a great run, tearing past several opponents before being stopped just over the halfway line.
The ball then found Steyn, who followed up his kick through the advancing Italian defenders to touchdown and then score the subsequent conversion.
The Springboks then doubled their lead in the 17th minute thanks to their powerful pack, who drove over the line after captain Victor Matfield had won ball in the lineout, allowing hooker Du Plessis to score.
Steyn was again on target with the conversion to make it 14-0 at the break, as the Azzurri defended doggedly to restrict the scoring.
Second score
Following the re-start, Du Plessis registered his second try on 43 minutes thanks to another lineout drive after Matfield had won the ball.
Prop Tendai 'Beast' Mtawarira added a third 12 minutes later which was converted by Steyn.
This was final scoreline as the South Africans could not capitalise on several try-scoring chances later in the game.
Italy also could have scored points late on, but were denied by quality tackling from the world champions.
