South Africa 55 Tries: M Steyn (2), Spies, J du Plessis, Habana, Van der Merwe, BJ Botha Cons: Steyn (5), Pienaar (2) Pens: Steyn (2) Italy 11 Try: Sepe Pens: Mi Bergamasco (2)  Steyn was in form on Saturday |
Fly-half Morne Steyn scored the first 20 points and finished with 26 as South Africa thrashed Italy 55-11 in East London to wrap up a 2-0 series victory. Steyn scored two tries while wing Bryan Habana equalled South Africa's try-scoring record of 38, in his 60th Test, with the fifth of their seven scores. The mark was set by scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen in 89 matches. Winger Michele Sepe scored Italy's only try after chasing a Craig Gower kick, Mirco Bergamasco landing two penalties. The hosts showed seven changes to their starting line-up after a scrappy 29-13 first Test win in Witbank, opting for a tighter approach and starving the Italians of possession. Italy, who made a surprising nine changes, were under pressure almost from the start with the Springboks proving superior in the scrums and line-outs. It was a much-improved performance before they start the defence of their Tri-Nations title against New Zealand on 10 July in Auckland. Coach Peter de Villiers later named a 28-man squad for the tournament including Zimbabwe-born prop Tendai Mtawarira, who has secured South African citizenship on residency grounds and after government intervention. Mtawarira, nicknamed "The Beast", has won 22 caps but was in international exile in recent months because he did not have a South African passport, meaning he was classified as a foreign player. The squad also includes Bath fly-half Butch James and Ulster prop BJ Botha, despite both playing for European clubs that start their seasons in September. Francois Hougaard was also drafted back in, with 21 of the players involved in Saturday's win against Italy - reserve lock Flip van der Merwe was the only player to miss out - included. The other five players were involved in the previous Tests against Wales, France and Italy - vice-captain Victor Matfield, lock Danie Rossouw, back-rower Ryan Kankowski, prop CJ van der Linde and full-back Zane Kirchner. Among those unavailable because of injury are star scrum-half Fourie du Preez, wingers JP Pietersen and Odwa Ndungane and hooker Bismarck du Plessis. Flanker Juan Smith is absent for personal reasons. The Boks play back-to-back games in New Zealand before travelling to Australia, then have a four-week break before home games against the All Blacks and the Wallabies (two), the last on 4 September.
South Africa: Gio Aplon; Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie, Juan de Jongh, Bryan Habana; Morne Steyn, Ricky Januarie; Pierre Spies, Francois Louw, Schalk Burger; Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha; Jannie du Plessis, John Smit (capt), Gurthro Steenkamp Replacements used: Chiliboy Ralepelle, BJ Botha, Flip van der Merwe, Dewald Potgieter, Ruan Pienaar, Butch James, Wynand Oliver Italy: Luke McLean; Michele Sepe, Gonzalo Canale, Andrea Masi, Mirco Bergamasco; Craig Gower, Simon Picone; Sergio Parisse (capt), Paul Derbyshire, Manoa Vosawai; Marco Bortolami, Carlo Antonio Del Fava; Lorenzo Cittadini, Fabio Ongaro, Salvatore Perugini Replacements used: Leonardo Ghiralindi, Franco Sbaraglini, Quintin Geldenhuys, Alessandro Zanni, Tito Tebaldi, Riccardo Bocchino Replacement not used: Matteo Pratichetti Referee: Andrew Small (ENG)
South Africa squad for Tri-Nations: Backs: Gio Aplon, Juan de Jongh, Jean de Villiers, Jaque Fourie, Bryan Habana, Francois Hougaard, Butch James, Ricky Januarie, Zane Kirchner, Wynand Olivier, Ruan Pienaar, Morne Steyn. Forwards: Andries Bekker, Bakkies Botha, BJ Botha, Schalk Burger, Jannie du Plessis, Ryan Kankowski, Francois Louw, Victor Matfield, Tendai Mtawarira, Dewald Potgieter, Chiliboy Ralepelle, Danie Rossouw, John Smit (captain), Pierre Spies, Gurthro Steenkamp, CJ van der Linde.
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