Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu scored 26 points as the Springboks smashed Italy to resume their Nations Championship campaign in Turin in style.
The Boks scored nine tries on Saturday at Allianz Stadium in a 66-7 bonus-point victory over an injury-ravaged Italian outfit, with Malcolm Marx also notching a brace.
The world champions ran riot in the first half, scoring six tries to take a commanding 45-0 lead into the break as Saturday’s triumph protected their place at the top of the world rankings and the southern hemisphere log of the Nations Championship.
They arrived in Europe unbeaten after wins over England, Scotland and Wales at home in July. Those bonus-point victories left them on 15 points, level with New Zealand but ahead on points difference.
Bok boss Rassie Erasmus made a late change before kick-off, lock Lood de Jager promoted to the starting XV in place of Salmaan Moerat, who was set to make his first appearance of 2026. De Jager’s spot on the bench was taken by Franco Mostert.
Italy were without 16 players through injury, including captain Michele Lamaro, centres Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello, and winger Louis Lynagh.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu opened the scoring on Saturday with a penalty before adding a try of his own.
Sacha with pace to burn
He bags all seven for the Boks with a stunning kick
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Marx, Morné van den Berg, Siya Kolisi and Damian Willemse also crossed the whitewash, with the visitors repeatedly making the most of their lineout drive. Feinberg-Mngomezulu was accurate off the tee, converting all six tries.
Jasper spots the gap and drops gear
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The Azzurri’s afternoon deteriorated further when loosehead prop Muhamed Hasa was shown a yellow card in the 30th minute for a deliberate knock-on.
Wilco Louw crashed over shortly after half-time before fellow replacement Paul de Villiers finished off another powerful rolling maul.
Italy had little to show for their efforts but finally got on the scoreboard through lock Federico Ruzza in the 61st minute, but the Boks responded with De Villiers’ try and Ethan Hooker adding his name to the scoresheet in the final minute.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu converted all three second-half scores.
FIRST TAKE: Bok halfbacks hit the high notes
Next Friday, the Boks face France at the Stade de France in Paris, while Italy host Argentina – beaten 42-12 by Ireland in Dublin less than 24 hours ago – next week.
ITALY – Try: Federico Ruzza. Conversion: Paolo Garbisi.
SPRINGBOKS – Tries: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Morné van den Berg, Malcolm Marx (2), Siya Kolisi, Damian Willemse, Wilco Louw, Paul de Villiers, Ethan Hooker. Conversions: Feinberg-Mngomezulu (9). Penalty: Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Photo: Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images
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Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu scored 26 points as the Springboks smashed Italy to resume their Nations Championship campaign in Turin in style.
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