Winger Edwill van der Merwe scored a brace as the Springboks obliterated Italy at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium to wrap up the two-Test mini-series 2-0.
The win also ensured that fullback Willie Le Roux celebrated his 100th Test with a solid performance and a victory on home soil.
The Boks gave a much more assured account of themselves after last week’s lacklustre showing at Loftus Versfeld, as they outplayed and outclassed the Azzurri 45-0 to send them on their way.
The Springbok backline is cooking 🔥🔥
Watch the Springboks live on #SSRugby (Ch.211) and SS Grandstand (Ch.201) in three language options 🎙️🏉
📺 Stream #RSAvITA on DStv: https://t.co/0P0NNhnwKw pic.twitter.com/qtxbCSOrhz
— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) July 12, 2025
Van der Merwe – who returned to the Springbok team after 13 months – didn’t look out of place as he ran in two first-half tries to go along with five-pointers from scrumhalf Grant Williams and outside centre Canan Moodie to send the Boks into the sheds with a 24-0 lead.
The Sharks-bound flyer used every blade of grass available to him in the 16th minute to score in the corner, rounding off a multiple-phase onslaught on the Italian line. He only had to wait 16 more minutes as he touched down under the uprights for his third international try in just his second Test.
Edwill van der Merwe’s third Test try 👍#Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #RSAvITA pic.twitter.com/gdjZuoUKYR
— Springboks (@Springboks) July 12, 2025
The first half was however soured by a red card to Bok No 8 Jasper Wiese early in the second quarter for what was deemed a headbutt on Italian prop Danilo Fischetti. But the Azzurri failed to capitalise on their numerical advantage. Instead, the Italian scrum hit reverse when coach Rassie Erasmus brought on Ox Nche in place of Thomas Du Toit and centre Andre Esterhuizen functioned in his hybrid role as a loose forward to ensure South Africa held the advantage at scrum time.
The Boks were eager to set right the wrongs from Loftus – key among those being the battle at the breakdown. The return of the talismanic Pieter-Steph du Toit lifted their performance at the breakdown, alongside the physicality of Marco van Staden.
Ill-discipline once again stunted the Springboks’ momentum early in the second half, as tighthead Wilco Louw was sin-binned for a head clash with the Hilton College schooled, Italian flank Sebastian Negri.
But once again, the Italians couldn’t make it count. Hooker Malcolm Marx got over for his 22nd Test try from another bit of Erasmus innovation: a midfield maul created by a lineout lift in general play.
Winger Makazole Mapimpi got his name on the scoresheet late in the final quarter, much to the delight of the partisan 45,000-strong crowd.
Try number 33 in Test number 47 for Mapimps! #Springboks #ForeverGreenForeverGold #RSAvITA pic.twitter.com/R9iSl15DCK
— Springboks (@Springboks) July 12, 2025
Replacement hooker Jan-Hendrick Wessels completed the rout with a try in the corner after the full-time hooter. After missing his first two kicks at goal, flyhalf Manie Libbok slotted five conversions.
There were Test debuts for Cobus Wiese, Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Ethan Hooker.
The Springboks play their final Test before the Rugby Championship against Georgia next Saturday at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, which gets its first Bok Test since last year’s 48-7 thrashing of Argentina in the Rugby Championship.
Photo by Anton Geyser/Gallo Images
