SOUTH AFRICA WIN WITH 14 MEN FOR THE SECOND WEEK RUNNING
South Africa produced a fantastic performance with 14 men for the second week running to deny Italy a famous victory.
Franco Mostert was sent off for a dangerous tackle on Paolo Garbisi after 12 minutes, just as Lood de Jager was last week against France.
However, yet again the reigning World champions showed their resilience to secure a sixth straight victory, thanks to tries from Marco van Staden, Morne van den Berg, Grant Williams and Ethan Hooker.
Rassie Erasmus had made 11 changes to the side that beat France last weekend, leaving a number of experienced players on the bench.
Following the red card, South Africa made four substitutions within the first 25 minutes, as Erasmus went back to his experienced stars.
Handre Pollard put the visitors ahead with the boot, but Italy hit back almost straight away to level the scores, winning a penalty at the scrum, which Garbisi slotted with ease.
Despite all of Italy’s pressure and dominance, it was the Springboks who scored the first try of the match, with van Staden scoring right at the end of the first half.
Staden bundled over right between the posts, after South Africa had forced a knock-on from Italy.
'Still they score' - Van Staden scores first try for South Africa despite early red against Italy
Video credit: TNT Sports
The Azzuri fought back at the start of the second half, with Garbisi slotting two penalties from close distance as South Africa started to creak under huge pressure.
However, just like last week, the reigning World champions showed incredible resilience and van den Berg scored their second try of the match with 20 minutes to play.
After being awarded a penalty inside Italy’s 22’, they opted for a scrum and van den Berg charged over from the back.
The game was not over there as Italy refused to be beaten, with Ange Capuozzo running a brilliant line to score the hosts’ first try of the match.
Garbisi missed the conversion from a difficult angle as his kicking continued to cost the Italians.
Just as the Turin crowd was starting to get excited, the Springboks ended all hopes of a comeback, with Williams finishing off a brilliant move.
Canan Moodie managed to break Italy’s defensive line with a break down the left-hand side, before picking out Williams to score.
With the game already wrapped up, South Africa continued to probe and Hooker collected Manie Libbok’s cross-field kick to score his first Springboks try.
There is no rest for Erasmus' side though, as they face a trip to Dublin to face Ireland next Saturday, while Italy host Chile next.
14:46
14:46
A FEAST OF RUGBY TODAY
If you are a rugby fan, then today is your Christmas day. We have five huge Quilter Nations Series matches in store today.
South Africa overcame Italy in today's early match, despite being down to 14 players for the majority of the game.
Up next, England will be aiming for their first win over New Zealand in 13 years, with Steve Borthwick's side taking on the All Blacks at 15:10 GMT - LIVE on TNT Sports and discovery+
Wales will then take on Japan in a huge match for new head coach Steve Tandy, this is at 17:40 GMT - LIVE on TNT Sports and discovery+
We are not done there too, with France taking on Fiji and Ireland facing Australia this evening at 20:10 GMT - both matches are LIVE on TNT Sports and discovery+
DAMIEN WILLEMSE: I WILL LOOK AT THIS GAME FOR A LONG TIME
"It was amazing, a great performance. It was a great team effort and even though they put us under pressure, we found solutions. I am here getting the award, but it was a team effort.
"We know they have a good kicking game and are a good team, they put us under pressure today. I tried my best and the rest of the team helped me.
"We had to show character and find solutions. I will look at this game for a long time, I am very happy," said Damien Willemse to TNT Sports.
'That's the match' - Williams wraps up the win for South Africa with sensational try against Italy
Video credit: TNT Sports
14:37
14:37
FULL TIME! ITALY 14-32 SOUTH AFRICA
South Africa win with 14 players for the second week running and what a performance from the Springboks.
That was seriously impressive.
14:36
14:36
80' SOUTH AFRICA TRY! ITALY 14-32 SOUTH AFRICA (HOOKER)
South Africa score again! After a period of sustained pressure, Libbok produces a brilliant cross-field kick to Ethan Hooker, who scores his first Springboks try.
Libbok is timed out for the conversion.
14:33
14:33
WHAT A TRY!
14:33
14:33
77' MORE SOUTH AFRICA PRESSURE! ITALY 14-27 SOUTH AFRICA
The Springboks have a scrum just five yards out from Italy's try-line.
They have been fantastic today.
14:28
14:28
72' SOUTH AFRICA TRY! ITALY 14-27 SOUTH AFRICA (WILLIAMS)
Wow, what a try from the Springboks and that is the match! Moodie produces a brilliant break down the left-hand side, before picking out Grant Williams who ran under the posts.
Libbok adds the extra two points.
14:27
14:27
A FEAST OF RUGBY TODAY
If you are a rugby fan, then today is your Christmas day. We have five huge Quilter Nations Series matches in store today.
Italy are currently taking on South Africa in Turin - LIVE on TNT Sports and discovery+
After that, England will be aiming for their first win over New Zealand in 13 years, with Steve Borthwick's side taking on the All Blacks at 15:10 GMT - LIVE on TNT Sports and discovery+
Wales will then take on Japan in a huge match for new head coach Steve Tandy, this is at 17:40 GMT - LIVE on TNT Sports and discovery+
We are not done there too, with France taking on Fiji and Ireland facing Australia this evening at 20:10 GMT - both matches are LIVE on TNT Sports and discovery+
"It's hard enough to play with 14' - South Africa reduced to 13 as Italy kick another penalty
Video credit: TNT Sports
14:24
14:24
WATCH: ANGE CAPUOZZO HITS BACK FOR AZZURI
14:23
14:23
69' CHANGES FOR BOTH SIDES! ITALY 14-20 SOUTH AFRICA
Mirco Spagnolo replaces Fischetti for Italy, while Pollard is replaced by Manie Libbok for the Springboks.
14:21
14:21
WATCH: MORNE VAN DER BERG SCORES SOUTH AFRICA'S SECOND
14:20
14:20
65' ITALY STRIKE BACK! ITALY 14-20 SOUTH AFRICA
Ange Capuozzo works his magi and Italy are back in the game! They win a penalty and kick into South Africa's 22'.
From the resulting line-out, they work the ball well in midfield, before Capuozzo runs a brilliant line and Garbisi finds him, before the full-back flies over the line.
Garbisi misses the conversion.
14:16
14:16
62' CANNONE'S YELLOW NOT UPGRADED. ITALY 9-20 SOUTH AFRICA
The TMO has decided that Cannone's yellow card won't be upgraded and it will stay as a yellow card.
14:15
14:15
59' SPRINGBOKS TRY! ITALY 9-20 SOUTH AFRICA (VAN DEN BERG)
South Africa have their second try! They opt for a scrum after being awarded a penalty in Italy's 22' and Morne van den Berg charges over from the back of the scrum.
Pollard converts for the extra two points.
14:10
14:10
WATCH: VAN STADEN SENT TO THE SIB-BIN
14:08
14:08
56' ITALY YELLOW! ITALY 9-13 SOUTH AFRICA
Lorenzo Cannone is shown a yellow card for a dangerous tackle and the referee has sent him to the bunker, whilst the TMO decides whether the punishment should be any further.
Tommaso Di Bartolomeo replaces Giacomo Nicotera for Italy.
14:05
14:05
55' POLLARD PENALTY! ITALY 9-13 SOUTH AFRICA
Despite being down to 13, South Africa win a penalty for offside and Pollard makes no mistake with the kick.
14:03
14:03
53' ITALY PENALTY! ITALY 9-10 SOUTH AFRICA
Garbisi converts the resulting penalty and Italy are almost level.
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'Still they score' - Van Staden scores first try for South Africa despite early red against Italy
Video credit: TNT Sports