Player ratings: Amazing Azzurri
The home side played like a side possessed and ensured that the two-time World Champions never gained any form of momentum to close off the game.
Credit needs to be given to veteran loose forward and captain, Sergio Parisse for his ability to keep his team inspired as Azzurri secured a historic first-ever victory over the Boks.
Lyndon Julius rates the Italian players!
15 Edoardo Padovani:
The fullback was called to join the backline regularly to help stop the resilient attacking onslaught of the Boks and he did this with clinical precision, but that was as good as it got for Padovani.
5/10
14 Giulio Bisegni:
Bisegni didn't see much of the ball and with his pace not being used by Italy the right winger was called on to make some telling tackles. Marking the record holding Habana was a tough ask, but apart from the marginal errors, he kept the veteran winger at bay.
5/10
13 Tommaso Benvenuti:
The midfielder made some telling metres and was clinical on defence. Coming up against the inexperienced Venter, he made good use of this opportunity to expose the flaw in the Boks' midst.
6/10
12 Luke McLean:
The 29-year-old Australia-born versatile player's huge left boot allowed the home side to keep play deep inside the Boks' half. Mclean ran hard at the visiting side's defensive lines.
4.5/10
11 Giovanbattista Venditti:
Pivotal on defence, the left winger was, much like his full-back team-mate called on to defend more than he would have wanted. His try in the 56th minute turned the game and handed the momentum to the home side.
6/10
10 Carlo Canna:
The playmaker set his backs alight whenever they had the ball. Canna made sure that his team played inside the Boks half, but his clearance kicks meant that the visiting side had the possession to launch their numerous attacks.
5/10
9 Giorgio Bronzini:
Bronzini cleared from the base very quickly in the first half, and this laid the platform for the home side to gain good go forward ball.
6/10
8 Sergio Parisse (captain):
Led his side from the front, the veteran loose forward put in big tackles and effected a try saving turnover when he isolated De Allende. Parisse made some telling runs and this aided in his fellow forwards running at the Boks with a lot more confidence to secure their very first victory over the two-time World Champions.
7/10
7 Simone Favaro:
He complemented his captain and Minto very well, more so on defence as ball-in-hand for the home side was not a regular occurrence as the game matured.
4.5/10
6 Francesco Minto:
The loose forward along with Parisse and Favaro restricted the talented Bok attack throughout the game. Minto made sure he added his weight and brought his part to this memorable victory.
6/10
5 Andries Van Schalkwyk:
Scored the first try for the home side, after a schoolboy error from Bok line-out. The former Free State Cheetahs player stood strong against his former countrymen. Held his cool on defence and made some solid runs.
5/10
4 Marco Fuser:
The second rower made some important and big hits, especially when the Boks came within striking distance of Italy's try line. His try on the stroke of full-time was denied when his foot was adjudged to be in touch.
5/10
3 Lorenzo Cittadini:
The Italy hardman came up against a formidable opponent in Tendai Mtawarira and stood firmly. Cittadini also put in some telling tackles which restricted the visitors.
5/10
2 Ornel Gega:
The number two added and pulled his weight in a clinical fashion, how he pushed the strong and experienced Bok front row to the limits cannot go unnoticed.
6/10
1 Sami Panico:
Panico helped lay a solid platform at the scrum, along with his fellow front rowers the young Zebre prop stepped up very well.
5/10
Replacements:
16 Tommaso D'Apice:
Not enough time to be rated.
17 Nicola Quaglio:
Not enough time to be rated.
18 Simone Ferrari:
Not enough time to be rated.
19 George Fabio Biagi (On for Van Schalkwyk, 25th min):
Biagi made a huge impact when he came on for his South African-born teammate. The second rower gained valuable metres and was helpful with a few hits as well.
4/10
20 Abraham Steyn (On for Minto, 60th min):
The former Junior Springbok player joined the party deep in the second half and ensured that the momentum shifted towards the home side. Steyn's impact cannot go unnoticed; his ability to nullify the strong Bok runners like Mohoje and Whiteley restricted the visitors from quality ball.
6/10
21 Edoardo Gori (On for Bronzini, 65th min):
The scrumhalf ensured that Azzurri continued to apply pressure on the Boks. His service from the base made it easier for his flyhalf to get quality ball to Italy's strong midfielders.
5/10
22 Tommaso Allan:
Not enough time to be rated.
23 Tommaso Boni:
Not enough time to be rated.
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