Springboks
By Sello Masilo
The Springboks delivered a commanding 45-0 win over Italy at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, overcoming an early red card to Jasper Wiese and blanking their opponents for the first time in 26 years, while fullback Willie le Roux celebrated his milestone 100th Test cap in style.
Dominant Display Despite Early Setback
South Africa showcased their world champion credentials in this second Test match against Italy, securing a comprehensive victory that highlighted their depth, innovation, and resilience. Building on their 42-24 triumph in the first encounter at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria last week, the Springboks aimed for a more polished performance. They achieved just that, outscoring Italy seven tries to none and sweeping the two-Test series 2-0. This shutout marked the first time the Springboks had kept Italy scoreless since a dominant display years ago, underlining their defensive strength even when down to 14 players for most of the game.
The match, played on 12 July 2025, saw the home side control possession and territory from the outset, leading 71 minutes of the game and holding 89% of the lead time. In the final 10 minutes, possession was evenly split at 50%, but South Africa added seven more points to seal the deal. The victory was particularly meaningful as it coincided with Willie le Roux’s 100th appearance for the Springboks, making him the eighth player in South African rugby history to reach this elite milestone and the fourth backline player to do so, joining legends like Bryan Habana, Jean de Villiers, and Percy Montgomery.
Le Roux, often called the “Assist King” for his unselfish play and vision, has been a cornerstone of the Springboks’ success under coach Rassie Erasmus. Debuting in 2013 against Italy, his career has come full circle with this centurion achievement against the same opponents. Over his 100 caps, le Roux has contributed to two Rugby World Cup wins, providing countless assists and demonstrating leadership that has driven the team’s revolution from underdogs to double world champions. His subtle contributions, like precise kicks and defensive reads, have often gone underappreciated, but teammates credit him with elevating the backline’s performance.
Key Moments and Tactical Brilliance
The game started in an unusual way, with the Springboks deliberately mishandling the kick-off to force an immediate scrum, a bold tactic aimed at asserting early dominance in the set-piece. However, it initially backfired as Italy earned a penalty. Undeterred, South Africa quickly regained momentum. After a try by Pieter-Steph du Toit was disallowed due to a knock-on by Jasper Wiese, the Boks struck first through scrumhalf Grant Williams. From a powerful scrum, wing Edwill van der Merwe broke through before offloading to Makazole Mapimpi, who used his speed to set up Williams for the opening try.
Van der Merwe soon added his own name to the scoresheet, diving over in the corner after a brilliant inside pass from flyhalf Manie Libbok inside Italy’s 22-metre line. Leading 10-0, the Springboks faced a major challenge in the 21st minute when number eight Jasper Wiese was shown a red card for a headbutt on Italian prop Danilo Fischetti during a scuffle after a lineout. The incident, described as a mindless act, left coach Rassie Erasmus perplexed and forced the team to adapt with 14 men for the remaining 59 minutes. Wiese’s dismissal stemmed from a heated exchange, and after a lengthy review by referee Andrew Brace and the TMO, it was deemed a permanent red, with no mitigation possible.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Springboks adjusted seamlessly. Centre Andre Esterhuizen stepped up to assist in the forwards, and Erasmus introduced prop Ox Nché early in the 30th minute, replacing Thomas du Toit. Nché’s arrival transformed the scrum, leading to a penalty advantage that set up van der Merwe’s second try. Le Roux chipped ahead, and van der Merwe capitalised on a favourable bounce to score, with Libbok converting for a 17-0 lead.
The dominance continued as Williams linked with centre Canan Moodie, who powered through defenders for another try, pushing the halftime score to 24-0 after Libbok’s conversion. In the second half, despite a yellow card to prop Wilco Louw for a dangerous shoulder charge in the 44th minute and another to Fischetti for repeated infringements shortly after—leaving South Africa briefly with 13 players—the Boks remained ruthless.
Hooker Malcolm Marx drove over from a maul, Libbok converted to make it 31-0, and later Mapimpi finished a slick lineout move with soft hands and quick feet to bamboozle the Italian defence, extending the lead to 38-0. In the dying moments, replacement Jan-Hendrik Wessels chased down a final try from a lineout, with Libbok nailing the conversion from the touchline to round off the 45-0 scoreline.
Italy struggled with unforced errors and discipline issues, including yellow cards to Fischetti and lock David Odiase for repeated infringements in the 72nd minute. These setbacks compounded their difficulties, preventing any meaningful comeback.
Standout Player Performance
Several players shone brightly in this masterclass. Edwill van der Merwe was electric, scoring two tries, gaining 46 metres from nine carries, beating a defender, and making a line break. His chasing, high-ball wins, and tackles marked him as a rising star. After a dream debut in 2024 against Wales where he earned man-of-the-match honours, van der Merwe overcame a year-long injury layoff to deliver this impressive performance in his second cap, crediting mentorship from top wings like Mapimpi.
Manie Libbok, despite missing a couple of conversions early, excelled in open play with effective cross-kicks and assists, earning man-of-the-match honours. Grant Williams was efficient at scrumhalf, Malcolm Marx dominated tackles and scrums, and Moodie showed raw power. Debutants Ethan Hooker (back), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (prop), and Cobus Wiese (forward, brother of Jasper) made positive impacts off the bench, with Hooker delivering solid tackles and Reinach adding energy.
On the downside, discipline remains a concern for the Springboks, with Wiese’s red card and Louw’s yellow highlighting areas for improvement. For Italy, the match was frustrating, marked by errors and an inability to capitalise on South Africa’s reduced numbers.
Historical Context and Head-to-Head Record
This result adds to South Africa’s overwhelming dominance in the head-to-head record against Italy. The Springboks have won 17 out of 18 Test matches, with their only loss coming in 2016 when Italy triumphed 20-18 in Florence. The largest margin remains the 101-0 thrashing in Durban in 1999, which was South Africa’s biggest victory at the time. Overall, South Africa boasts a 93% win rate against the Azzurri, with their highest score also being that 101-0 rout.
Recent encounters have followed suit, including a 63-21 win in Genoa in 2022 and a 35-6 victory in Padova in 2018. Italy’s sole win stands as an anomaly in an otherwise one-sided rivalry, but it serves as a reminder of the Azzurri’s potential on their day.
Looking Ahead to the Next Challenge
With this series wrapped up, the Springboks turn their attention to a one-off Test against Georgia next Saturday, 19 July 2025, at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. This fixture is part of a packed 2025 schedule that includes home Tests against Australia on 16 and 23 August, Argentina on 27 September, and tours to face France, Ireland, and others later in the year. Georgia, known for their physical forwards, will pose a different test, but South Africa’s form suggests they are building momentum for the Rugby Championship and beyond.
This 45-0 demolition not only boosts the Springboks’ confidence but also signals their readiness for tougher battles ahead, blending experience like le Roux’s with emerging talents like van der Merwe.
Match Details and Teams
Scorers:
South Africa: Tries – Grant Williams, Edwill van der Merwe (2), Canan Moodie, Malcolm Marx, Makazole Mapimpi, Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Conversions – Manie Libbok (5).
Italy: None.
Yellow Cards: Wilco Louw (South Africa, 44th minute – dangerous shoulder charge), Danilo Fischetti (Italy, 48th minute – repeated infringements), David Odiase (Italy, 72nd minute – repeated infringement).
Red Card: Jasper Wiese (South Africa, 21st minute – head-butt).
Teams:
South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Edwill van der Merwe, 13 Canan Moodie, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Grant Williams, 8 Jasper Wiese, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Replacements: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Ox Nche, 18 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 19 Cobus Wiese, 20 Evan Roos, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 23 Ethan Hooker.
Italy: 15 Mirco Belloni, 14 Louis Lynagh, 13 Tommaso Menoncello, 12 Marco Zanon, 11 Jacopo Trulla, 10 Giacomo De Re, 9 Alessandro Garbisi, 8 Ross Vintcent, 7 Manual Zuliani, 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 Niccolo Cannone (captain), 3 Simone Ferrari, 2 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 1 Danilo Fischetti.
Replacements: 16 Pablo Dimcheff, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Muhamed Hasa, 19 Matteo Canali, 20 Alessandro Izekor, 21 David Odiase, 22 Stephen Varney, 23 Giulio Bertaccini.
Officials: Referee – Andrew Brace (Ireland); Assistant referees – Matthew Carley (England), Hollie Davidson (Scotland); TMO – Tual Trainini (France).
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