The Springboks secured a 42–24 win over Italy in their first Test of the Castle Lager Incoming Series in Pretoria on Saturday, but it wasn’t the dominant display fans had hoped for. Despite crossing the whitewash six times, the South Africans were left to reflect on a performance that, in the words of head coach Rassie Erasmus, was “definitely frustrating.”
The Boks burst out of the gates, racing to a 28–3 halftime lead that had many thinking the second stanza would be a procession. But instead of pulling away, the home side lost momentum and allowed a spirited Italian side to claw their way back into the contest.
“We knew they would man up, and they certainly manned up in most departments – scrums, mauling, defence, attack,” Erasmus admitted after the game. “It was a proper Test match. When we were 28–3 up and we scored that try that was disallowed for obstruction, I thought we might have them. But then we lost some momentum.”
The game, which saw the Boks make a massive 120 tackles in the first half alone, highlighted issues in consistency and second-half intensity – a concern ahead of next week’s Test in Gqeberha.
An Unsettled Coach and a Selection Shake-Up
Erasmus was candid in his post-match assessment, saying the performance might force a rethink in team selection: “Internally we’ve announced 13 or 14 players who will definitely get a run next week… but the make-up of the team may change to handle the physicality that Italy threw at us.”
That physicality was perhaps the standout feature of Italy’s game – relentless in defence and sharp in counterattack. Despite trailing for most of the match, the Azzurri never folded, and Erasmus acknowledged their fight: “You’d think a team that made 120 tackles in the first half would break in the second. But it’s a team that’s fit and passionate.”
The Bok coach hinted that some standout performers from Saturday may retain their spots, while others could shift to the bench. With Damian de Allende nursing a hamstring niggle and “a few bruised egos” in the squad, next week’s selection is anything but straightforward.
Tactical Highs and Lows
South Africa’s try tally – six in total – speaks to their attacking potential. But Erasmus was quick to point out that it wasn’t all smooth sailing: “We scored tries even with a maul that didn’t function, even with a breakdown that wasn’t great on attack, even with a counterattack that wasn’t awesome.”
There were moments of classic Bok brilliance, including an early burst of momentum and sharp execution close to the Italian tryline. But the overall tempo of the second half was disjointed, marred by stoppages and a lack of sustained pressure. “It felt like we didn’t get any intensity in the second half,” Erasmus reflected.
Next Up: Gqeberha, and a Point to Prove
With the series heading to the Eastern Cape this coming weekend, the Springboks are under no illusions about what needs fixing.
“It’s all fixable – but it’s definitely frustrating,” said Erasmus, who now faces the dual task of managing player rotation and ensuring the team can put in an 80-minute performance.
South Africans will expect more ruthlessness in Gqeberha, especially with World Cup ambitions and squad depth at stake. Italy, for their part, have shown they won’t be walkovers – and their gritty display at Loftus Versfeld should serve as a timely wake-up call.
For the Boks, this wasn’t a defeat, but it also wasn’t a statement. Next Saturday offers a chance to correct that.
