This was ugly rugby, played in atrocious conditions. Stop, start, stop. Horrible stuff.
Not that I’m criticising the endeavour or willingness of the two sides to give it a go; far from it. Italy, as any side fielded by Nick Mallett, gave it their all and were willing to die for the cause (perhaps the Human Rights Commission might want a word). The thunderstorms of Cape Town, prayed for by the Azurri coach, there for all to see and levelling the playing field. What with Mugabe and now Mallett, it seems Africa is quite the spiritual place to be right now.
But there were moments to savour. On six minutes a break by Bryan Habana, a clever little kick by Francois Steyn who collected it himself for the first try, Bismarck du Plessis scoring tries either side of half-time and then, of course, the expression on Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira’s face as he notched up his first in a Springbok jersey. Three out of four converted by Steyn.
In addition we had fine performances from Ricky Januarie, Du Plessis, Joe van Niekerk and Schalk Brits — we live in the land of the happy hookers. With John Smit due back soon we really are spoiled for choice at number two. So who do you make number two? Bet the All Blacks will be making number two when we get there … but I digress.
The coaches will be satisfied, if not ecstatic, with the performance. On defence we never conceded and but for the rain might well have added points where unforced errors abounded.
My highlight?
Has to be Archbishop Desmond Tutu in the SuperSport insert before the match, explaining how he used to check up on the internet for the results of the Welsh games because he was away on overseas duty. His joy at the results — priceless. For everything else there is nothing because your Mastercard was torn up at Woolworths …
Make the Arch the president and be done with it!
South Africa: Conrad Jantjes; Odwa Ndungane, Gcobani Bobo, Jean de Villiers, Bryan Habana; Francois Steyn, Ricky Januarie; Tendai Mtawarira, Bismarck Du Plessis, CJ Van der Linde, Bakkies Botha, Victor Matfield (captain), Luke Watson, Juan Smith, Ryan Kankowski.
Replacements: Schalk Brits, Brian Mujati, Andries Bekker, Joe van Niekerk, Schalk Burger, Peter Grant, Ruan Pienaar.
Italy: Andrea Marcato; Kaine Robertson, Andrea Masi, Gonzalo Garcia, Matteo Pratichetti; Luke McLean, Simon Picone; Michele Rizzo, Leornardo Ghiraldini (captain), Carlos Nieto, Santiago Dellape, Antonio Del Fava, Alessandro Zanni, Robert Barbieri, Josh Sole.
Replacements: Fabio Ongaro, Ignacio Rouyet, Jaco Eramus, Tommaso Reato, Pablo Canavosio, Enrico Patrizio, Riccardo Pavan.
A prince with dignity and determination
Prince Ngarambe’s goals are to become Rwanda’s first transgender model and to uplift the country’s youth
The EFF’s principles are unshakeable
Unlike the ANC, the core values of the freedom fighters do not change with each leader it elects
