Morne breaks brave Italy
Morne Steyn scored 26 points to help South Africa clinch a series win over Italy with a 55-11 victory in the second Test.
Last Updated: 26/06/10 6:33pm
Morne Steyn scored 26 points to help South Africa clinch a series win over Italy in style with a 55-11 victory in the second Test.
The Springboks continued their build-up for this year's Tri-Nations with a seven-try demolition of the tourists in East London.
Steyn kicked five conversions and two penalties, as well as touching down twice himself, before being substituted just after the hour mark.
Italy did manage a try themselves through winger Michele Sepe in the second half to add to a pair of early Mirco Bergamasco penalties.
Brave
The Azzurri, who fielded a side showing 10 changes from the 29-13 first Test defeat in Witbank, were brave in defence and forced numerous errors.
However the visitors simply couldn't live with the pace and power of the Springboks, who scored three tries in the first half before running riot after the interval.
Steyn dummied his way through to score the opening try under the posts after 11 minutes having already exchanged early penalties with Bergamasco.
The fly-half added another three points before then crossing again, this time accepting Bryan Habana's offload to dive over.
His conversion attempt was successful and he also added the extras after Pierre Spies touched down following excellent work by lock Andries Bekker.
Impressive
All Italy had managed in response was a second penalty from Bergamasco, leaving them trailing by 21 points at half time. South Africa then impressively moved through the gears with the game over as a contest.
Prop Jannie du Plessis rumbled over from close range before Habana scored with what proved to be his final touch, the winger being replaced by Ruan Pienaar.
Replacement Flip van der Merwe marked his introduction to proceedings by diving over only three minutes after coming on, the forward's effort this time being converted by fellow sub Pienaar.
The Italians did have a moment to savour when Sepe swept up a Craig Gower grubber, though the 'Boks refused to allow them to have the last word.
Reserve prop BJ Botha crashed over in the closing seconds, Pienaar knocking over the conversion, to round out a comprehensive win that leads them nicely into a clash with New Zealand in Auckland on July 10.
