Five takeaways as Springboks showcase their brilliance in 45-0 victory over Italy

The Springboks produced a near-perfect performance in the second Test against Italy on Saturday in Gqeberha. There were innovative and smart plays to feast on as the home side romped to a 45-0 victory.

Despite making plenty of changes, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus’s faith in the untested combinations paid off. He would’ve gotten a lot of answers over certain players in the side after the double Tests.

We look at five key points from the match.

Boks are rugby’s trendsetters

Doc Erasmus really took innovation to another level with a short kick-off to force a scrum, and two rolling mauls manufactured in open play that led to tries. Of course, the bomb squad is his brainchild, but this took innovation to the next level, especially at a Test level.

The maul was done by a school team in Stellenbosch; the kick-off was just something they thought of doing because Italy took their scrum weapon away last week at Loftus with quick scrums. So, they had a plan with these strange plays, and it paid off in a way.

The Malmesbury missile is fit and firing

While the attention was on the innovation and attack of the Springboks, World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit had a comeback of note. After last playing for the Boks in 2024’s Year-end tour, the bruiser showed no signs of the shoulder injury that kept him out of the club rugby season.

He quietly went about his business putting his shoulders into tackles and carrying the ball with almost no regard for his body. He looked sharp and will gradually keep building ahead of the Rugby Championship and those double Tests against the All Blacks.

The newbies are ready for more Test matches

The Springbok newcomers fitted in well with the squad over the past three matches and some of them will have one more opportunity against Georgia this coming weekend. But the South African coaches will be more than delighted with how these players have taken to rugby at the highest level.

Three players in Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Ethan Hooker, and Cobus Wiese made their debut, while Jan-Hendrik Wessels and Edwill van der Merwe added valuable caps. They all showed that they could make the step up to Test matches, alongside Vincent Tshituka who played in the first Test.

Fringe players took their chances

For several of the fringe players, like André Esterhuizen, Canan Moodie, Manie Libbok, and Makazole Mapimpi it was an outstanding opportunity to showcase their strengths and how they won’t disappoint the Boks when called upon. They maintain the intensity of the regular guys and sometimes even do better.

So, it leaves the Boks with plenty of healthy selection options that the rest of the world will be envious of. If they can maintain this ecosystem, it could be another top international season for the world champions.

A defensive masterclass despite the red card

Despite the red card to Jasper Wiese and playing with 14 men for a large part of the game, the defensive organisation by the Boks and the execution of their tackles were excellent. Wiese, who must answer for his mishap, needs to thank his teammates for their efforts. Every single player put their body on the line to ensure Italy left Gqeberha with no points.

A couple of times Italy managed to get on the outside with a man, but the Boks’ scramble defence saved them. They were determined to keep the Italians scoreless and defended with heart, thwarting every onslaught that came their way.