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Mon 21 Nov 2016 | 12:29
Italy fully deserving of first ever victory over the Springboks

15
Comments

Italy beat South Africa for the first time ever as they put in a courageous effort to win 20-18 in Florence. The Springboks had won the previous 12 games between the countries, but their slump continues as they experience one of their worst ever periods in international rugby.

The Italians' defensive effort was extremely impressive as they looked far from the team that a second string All Blacks walked all over a week prior.

"They deserved their victory today. Hats off to a spirited Italian side. They tackled and tackled and tackled for each other and put us under pressure," said Springbok coach Allister Coetzee, who described the loss as the darkest moment in his coaching career.

"No disrespect to Italy, but it’s not good enough for the Springboks to lose to Italy. I can only congratulate them on an outstanding victory. Compared to us, they played without any pressure on them while we looked like a team that lacked self-belief and had a fear of failure."

Italy coach Conor O'Shea, who actually brought in former Springbok Brendan Venter to help with their defence, said that he was very proud of his troops.

"I'm very happy for the players and the fans. For us, it’s just the start but it’s a very good one and we have a lot to do to change rugby in Italy," he said post match.

"Today we rode the rollercoaster and we survived by sheer heart and courage. They weren’t just brave, they were heroic."

Italy host Tonga next, while South Africa head to Cardiff for another tough Test with Wales.

Posted By: Grant Constable

15 Comments

  • drg
    9:09 AM 24/11/2016

    Because it's such a contentious issue it means whoever talks about it in less than a glorious manner is a raving right wing racist who wants to live in a colonial age or who'd fair better with Hitler and the KKK as company...

    It's the same when it comes to topics on:
    Race
    Religion
    Sexual orientation
    Gender

    The majority of the world wants to live in equal opportunity harmony, but any suggestions of tweaking the process means you're a bigot.

    The Boks have the chance to expand their player pool massively by working at grass roots, but as you said they're working top down so it's killing the sport for all!

  • drg
    9:04 AM 24/11/2016

    Who ever really listens to any Welshmen, let alone take anything they say as gospel???

  • jonnyenglish
    11:22 AM 23/11/2016

    So has the "banter" about England being arrogant and assuming all English supporters being represented well by the press. All stale, but hear it from a Welshman and they'll think they're a comedian. Just accept it, embrace it, move on.

  • stroudos
    7:35 AM 23/11/2016

    Might have left it a bit late and far down the comments to successfully troll any of our Welsh brethren here, but given how generous Wales have been in trying to lose their matches so far, perhaps this Saturday we'all finally see South Africa get a W on the board!

  • stroudos
    7:33 AM 23/11/2016

    Quite right Lucius. Italy played a much more comprehensive game than they have done previously. For all SA's travails it was a well-earned victory.

  • badge
    7:29 AM 23/11/2016

    Transformation in South African rugby has been a top down effort and so far has failed miserably. No where near enough youth development or structure and far too much interference at the very highest levels of our rugby. Sadly, a topic as volatile as this will never be broached by World Rugby regardless of the backwards nature of quota systems. Political appointments staining a sport? It's disgusting, I hardly want to hear about politics as it is, let alone see them on the rugby field.

    The Bokke look drained.

  • badge
    7:17 AM 23/11/2016

    Not to pick nits here, but we aren't the dirty eye-gougers so many make us out to be, go ahead and look up the citing history. You're as likely to have your eyes gouged by an Italian, an Englishman, an Argentine, a Frenchman, or a New Zealander. I understand that you're approaching it in jest;however, speaking as a supporter, that banter has been stale for some time now. Considering our decline, I was hoping to catch a break against Italy. I'd rather gouge my own eyes than watch that match again.

  • drg
    2:22 AM 23/11/2016

    The Azzurri may have played very well, but I believe what we're seeing happen to SA is a direct result of what their politicians have implemented. Sure, they're still dangerous, Italy can only play the team in front of them and no doubt it was still a bloody hard game, but something is happening to SA....

  • lucius
    11:37 AM 22/11/2016

    Well, no one is talking about how good was the Azzurri and O'Shea game. SA is not disappearing is only a bad and demotivated team

  • drg
    7:12 AM 22/11/2016

    Oooooooooo controversial!

    It's true though that in order to prove a lack of racism, they're actually being racist....

    ....the thing that gets me is how blatant it is...

    Rugby coaches "..uhh, we picked Habana for years, how are we racist?"

    Politicians "Habana is not fully black therefore he cannot be counted!"....

    It needs grass roots investment and development, that's how you will get better black players being regularly produced! Not by playing a token black team just for the sake of it.... It is also watering down the achievements of black guys who have actually worked to get into the team on their very own high level merits!

  • 9:11 PM 21/11/2016

    The demise of the Springboks lie squarely on the shoulders of World Rugby and all unions who are part of the organisation. In the 70's and 80's every man and his dog protested Springbok matches as players were selected based on the color of their skins because of political interference. The same has been happening for the last 20 odd years, starting off slowly but gradually building up to where we are now. And this isn't even the end. 50% of the RWC squad in 2019 has to be non-white.

    So where are all our politically correct friends who were so vocal a couple of decades ago? Especially in this day and age where everything non-PC seems to make headline news around the world? Oh, I forgot, it's only racist when it's the other way around....

  • drg
    8:09 PM 21/11/2016

    The rugby community only doesn't like the South African rugby because of the big meat eating bruisers that poke eyes and the sort, but the reality is, we love to hate the boks.

    Footballers hate teams so much they'd rather they didn't exist... No real rugby fan wants the boks to disappear! They're a scary challenge for any team. I think it's very sad to see them struggling like this. Hopefully it's just an lull in the storm!

  • abg
    4:39 PM 21/11/2016

    There could be some interesting consequences to this demise. South African viewership is by far greatest of the SANZAR countries and the demise of the Boks will result in lower TV revenues to be split between the three nations. This will mean less revenue for NZ, which might lead to their stars leaving to chase the bigger European/Japanese pay cheques, like what is happening now in South Africa due to the weak Rand.

  • stroudos
    4:09 PM 21/11/2016

    Sad times Mr Gard.

    And as a depressing exhibition of cowardice, we even had to witness the ignominy of a South African lock forward milking a penalty. Writhing about on the ground clutching his head, out-doing even the despicable wendyballist, Rivaldo (2002 v Turkey), in heinous play-acting.

    A symbolic manifestation of the Boks' humiliating emasculation if ever there was one.

    Don't mean to trivialise your very well-made point though, and I agree completely. A strong South Africa team is vital to the success of the game as a whole.

  • finedisregard
    3:49 PM 21/11/2016

    I know many in the rugby community dislike South Africans but the demise of the Springboks is very bad for our sport. With the ANC government in control and white population emigrating I believe we have seen the end of the Republic of South Africa as a rugby superpower. What a fascinating lesson on the link between sport and culture.

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