Springbok fullback Damian Willemse has praised his team’s character after they overcame extreme adversity in Turin to beat Italy 32-14.
The score suggests a comfortable win, but the Boks had to fight hard after losing Franco Mostert to a red card in the 11th minute and, at one point, being down to 13 players following a yellow card to Marco van Staden.
Player of the Match Willemse provided outstanding security at the back for his team. Willemse said the team’s reaction to the unsettling circumstances was special.
“It was amazing — a great performance,” he said.
“You’ve got to give credit to the team. Italy put us under pressure, but we came up with good solutions and plans. I’m taking credit for Player of the Match, but that was a full team effort.
“We knew we had to show character, and the boys did that. I’m very proud of the team and how we came up with solutions. I’m going to look back at this one for a long time – I’m very happy.”
Italy took early control of the game as the Boks looked for solutions to the red-card calamity.
“Italy tested us in every department,” Willemse said.
“They have a good kicking game. They’re an all-court team, and they showed that tonight. They put us under a lot of pressure in the maul; at the set-piece; on defence, and they’ve got a good attack.”
Early this week, the Springboks will await the outcome of Mostert’s disciplinary hearing as they prepare for their crunch clash with Ireland next week at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
The Boks’ record in the Rassie Erasmus-era remains an annoyance, one the team will want to desperately rectify this coming weekend. Erasmus has yet to win in Ireland, and over the five matches against the Emerald Isle during his tenure, has managed only one victory, which was earlier this year in Pretoria.
