Italy vs. South Africa: Winners and Losers from Padova
South Africa showed increased second-half determination to beat Italy 22-6 on Saturday, not allowing their hosts to score even a single point after the half-time whistle.
Heyneke Meyer's side end their autumn tour at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium next Saturday and will face Wales with back-to-back wins to their name.
Despite the win, the Springboks were scrappy in disposing of the Italians and will take their share of positives and negatives from their most recent win—the biggest of which we discuss in more depth ahead.
Winner: Bakkies Botha Ends International Career on a High
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For all the excitement that South Africa's win evoked, there was a bittersweet ending to Saturday's triumph, as 85-cap Test veteran Bakkies Botha called time on his international career.
After watching the result from the sidelines, Botha admitted that it was now time to give the new blood their chance to shine, with figures such as Eben Etzebeth and Lood de Jager showing extreme promise.
The Toulon lock was quoted by Sport24 as saying:
"The news of my retirement will probably be described as sudden and unexpected, but it is a decision that I’ve been mulling over since 2011. When I limped off the field during the Rugby World Cup in 2011 with an Achilles injury, I knew that I did not leave on my terms and that I didn’t say goodbye to the Bok jersey like I had wanted to.
[...]
I was blessed that I was given one more opportunity to represent my country and all our supporters, something no money in the world can buy. When I joined the team in November 2013, a total new environment welcomed me. The squad included a couple of superb young locks and it was such a privilege to see in their eyes that they were prepared to listen and learn from my experiences.
I realised that the next generation of South African locks were not only good, they were the best in the rugby world.
"
Since making his debut in 2002, Botha has become widely known as one of the finest locks in South African Test history and one of the best players at his position.
The lock will now focus his attentions on his work at Toulon, where he's already won back-to-back Heineken Cup titles and a Top 14 crown.
Despite his not having played a part in the win, Saturday marked the departure of a South African servant whose influence on the Springboks won't soon be forgotten.
Loser: Slow Start an Area of Improvement for Meyer
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A breakaway try from Jan Serfontein at Twickenham last Saturday gave South Africa a boost in their race to overcome England, but Meyer's men struggled to find their groove against Italy.
A Coenie Oosthuizen try in Padova helped the Springboks develop some sort of cushion against the Azzurri, but an 8-6 lead at half-time wasn't the sort of domination Meyer will have been hoping to see.
It's a stuttering they also showed in Dublin a fortnight ago as South Africa were made to pay for their lack of clinical first-half finishing, despite seeing a major majority in possession.
For now, these are forgivable offences, but World Cup opposition next year won't let them slip by so easily. A more cutthroat mentality is needed early on.
Winner: Springboks Can Take Heart in Cobus Reinach Progress
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Some may disagree with try-scoring scrum-half Cobus Reinach being awarded Man of the Match for his display on Saturday, but there's no doubting he was among the fixture's most impressive performers.
In the wake of Ruan Pienaar's injury, Meyer has experimented at No. 9 in an attempt to unearth another, arguably superior option for the half-back role.
Following two impressive displays against Italy and England, Reinach is arguing his case to be considered for the premier spot, offering a higher tempo than Pienaar and a faster turnover from the breakdown.
At just 24 years of age, the scrum-half still has time to develop and will be considered a prime candidate for next year's World Cup squad, improving further as he migrates more fully into the national side.
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Loser: Sergio Parisse Heroism Still a Blessing and a Curse
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No one player carried for more metres (55) or made more tackles (13) in Padova than Italy's Sergio Parisse, who continues to play the role of lone gladiator all too often for the Azzurri.
Jacques Brunel will of course be overjoyed to have such a warrior under his command, but the major issue with housing a talent so far above the average player is answering the dilemma of what happens in his departure.
Even Parisse can't often save his team from results, admittedly, but Saturday stood as another dismaying example of how the rest of this side must answer the call that is constantly being sounded by their captain.
Winner: Eben Etzebeth Was Head and Shoulders Above the Rest
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Reinach won the official award, but Eben Etzebeth was another possibility for Man of the Match after an impressive bounce back to form in Padova.
The lock hasn't always shined at his optimum this autumn, but weaker opposition gave the Stormer his chance to excel far above anything his opponents could muster.
His carrying total of 50 metres was the second-highest of any player in the match, and his work in stealing the enemy ball at the lineout repeatedly gave South Africa a platform to counterattack.
When at his best, the lock monolith is as domineering in results as his physical appearance might suggest, and Italy experienced firsthand what he's capable of bringing to the Springboks pack.
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