Springboks thrash depleted Italy 66-7 with 9 tries in Nations Championship rugby
The South African Springboks defeated Italy 66-7 in a Nations Championship rugby match, scoring nine converted tries. Despite a dominant performance, coach Rassie Erasmus noted that the team still needs to improve to face upcoming challenges against France and Ireland.
Why it matters
The result significantly boosts South Africa's points differential in the Nations Championship, keeping them in contention for the final.
TURIN, Italy (AP) — World champion South Africa smothered a depleted Italy 66-7 as predicted in Nations Championship rugby on Saturday.
The Springboks scored nine tries, all converted, at Juventus Stadium. A halftime lead of 45-0 and Italy's weak defense hinted at the Springboks threatening a rare century but errors crept in, the rhythm fell away, and Italy rediscovered its pride.
South Africa improved to 4-0 in the championship and boosted its aim to make the final by giving its points differential lead over New Zealand a huge bump. The Boks play Six Nations champion France in Paris on Friday.
"It's almost impossible to put 80 minutes together at 100%," Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus said. "But when you win 66–7 I don't think you can start nitpicking problems in the second half. It wasn't perfect, but it was proper.
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