First defeat for Italrugby in the last of the three Autumn Nations Series test matches.
At the Ferraris stadium in Genoa, coach Crowley's Azzurri surrendered to the world champions of South Africa, victorious 63-21.
Captain Lamaro and his companions close the November international window with a defeat and two victories (the one with Samoa and the historic one with Australia).
The first 50 minutes were tiring for the South Africans, then physical superiority prevailed.
Nine to two goals on the final scoreboard.
Kick-off Springboks, immediately under aggressive pressure, Italy tries to stem but with the first ball moved off Arendse takes advantage of an ineffective defensive climb and flies to mark.
Kolbe misses the conversion, South Africa ahead 5 - 0. The Azzurri's reaction is immediate, with a central attack that South Africa absorbs with difficulty: in the 7th minute, the first foul in favor of central position, Allan is precise, 3 - 5. Only two go by minutes, Italy is fouled on the ground within their 22, Kolbe does not miss the penalty, 3-8.
Crowley's XV didn't fit, using every ball to explore the green defence.
At minute 11 the magic of Capuozzo: Allan widens on the left, the running line of the blue fullback is perfect, two defenders beaten in acceleration the goal is served with the public in ecstasy.
Allan does not forgive, Italy ahead 10 to 8.
In the 20th minute Italy attacks, Allan raises a delightful five-a-side football behind the defence, Brex and Morisi go hunting and South Africa is fouled on the developments: the Italian opener is infallible, Italy ahead 13 to 8. The World Champions fail to impose themselves on one-on-one, but in the 24th minute they exploited a penalty at the height of 40 meters that Kolbe scores, 13 to 11. The Springboks pick up the pace and rely on the percussions of Wiese, who bring the team close of the blue try: in the 29th minute the TMO had to intervene to understand if Mbonambi touched Brex and Morisi in the arms, in the end the decision was against the Azzurri and the score went 13 to 18 after Kolbe's conversion.
Lamaro & co's response was angry, with a penalty touch and an unstoppable advance: South Africa was forced to commit another foul, another penalty on five metres,
this time well contrasted, and the occasion vanishes.
The last minutes are of war in the trenches, the score doesn't change, teams at rest with Italy down by 5.
Upon his return, Crowley swaps Ceccarelli and Nicotera for Ferrari and Lucchesi, shortly after Nienaber replies with Etzebeth for Moerat.
Italy is very compact, fights and finds a penalty on the initiative of Capuozzo, Allan makes no mistake, 16 to 18. On the re-start Kolbe is a hawk, steals Morisi's time in a high grip and flies in goal, stretching himself on the effort.
Carousel of changes from both sides, South Africa does not intend to leave the match in the hands of the blue and suddenly changes pace, finding the right key to break down the defensive wall and guessing the running lines found up to then with difficulty: Arendse, Arendse and then Player of the Match, Smith and Marx, brutally widening the gap to 42-16. squash,
Shortly before the 70th minute Padovani, who had just come on for Bruno, went off due to injury, South Africa was ruthless and continued to push hard, sailing off with Le Roux who freed Willemse on the wide corridor, who crushed undisturbed.
Libbok has a hot foot, 21 to 56. In the final stages, Italy is in the reserve and South Africa takes advantage of it to close by exceeding 60, with Reinach who closes a nice combination in support of Le Roux marking the try which with the conversion of Libbok fixes the final 63 to 21.