South Africa 49-3 Italy: Andrea Lovotti sent off as Springboks crush the Azzurri

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George Flood4 October 2019

Andrea Lovotti was sent off as 14-man Italy fell to an emphatic 49-3 World Cup defeat to South Africa in Shizuoka.

Loosehead prop Lovotti received his marching orders early in the second half for dangerously tipping No8 Duane Vermeulen onto his head as Conor O'Shea's Azzurri proved no match for the rampant Springboks in Pool B.

Cheslin Kolbe notched a fine brace for South Africa, who scored seven tries in total but crucially lost their fleet-footed wing to injury in the closing stages of a one-sided contest.

A second successive comfortable win following their opening defeat to New Zealand took Rassie Erasmus' side top of the group and likely all but ended Italy's hopes for a maiden World Cup quarter-final berth with the All Blacks - who will be expected to thrash Namibia on Sunday - to come in Toyota on October 12.

Italy sustained an early injury blow when tighthead prop Simone Ferrari fell awkwardly during a botched set-piece and was replaced by Marco Riccioni, whose own departure following a tackle on Lood de Jager led to the implementation of uncontested scrums.

Things went from bad to worse after seven minutes as Toulouse star Kolbe beat Michele Campagnaro and Matteo Minozzi with a quick inside step from the right flank to score the first try of the evening.

An infringement at the breakdown then quickly allowed fly-half Tommaso Allan to register what proved to be Italy's only points from the tee.

Handre Pollard re-established the seven-point advantage with a penalty of his own and Kolbe was unable to tee up Willie Le Roux with a pass before hooker Mbongeni Mbonambi dived over to score his third try of the tournament after an effective rolling maul.

AFP via Getty Images

While the first-half territory and possession was largely even, South Africa were proving far more dangerous in attack and resolute in defence to lead 17-3 at the interval.

They made a quick start to the second period and Italy ceded the numerical advantage when props Lovotti and Nicola Quaglio tipped Vermeulen onto his head after the whistle had gone at a ruck.

Lovotti was deemed to have played a more prominent role in the incident and was promptly red carded by English referee Wayne Barnes after a brief consulation with TMO Rowan Kitt.

That dismissal made an already difficult task for Italy nigh-on impossible and, after lock Pieter-Steph du Toit had a try chalked off for obstruction by Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, Pollard's latest penalty saw him equal Percy Montgomery's record of 111 World Cup points for South Africa.

AFP via Getty Images

Kolbe dotted down his second try after a clever cross-field kick from Pollard and centre Lukhanyo Am sprinted in after a breathless, untidy period of play ended with Jake Polledri's pass to recalled Italy captain Sergio Parisse - who with 142 international appearances is now behind only All Black great Richie McCaw on the all-time list of most Test caps - being intercepted.

South Africa refused to let their intensity drop and continued to inflict heavy punishment on their undermanned opponents as Makazole Mapimpi notched his 11th try in as many matches after collecting a perfectly-weighted chip from Le Roux.

RG Snyman showcased the Springboks' incredible second-row depth with a try of his own as Kolbe forced Minozzi into an error and then looked to speed clear for his hat-trick, only to be slowed and then hurt as he limped off to play no part in the final exchanges.

Getty Images

Italy's misery was complete with the clock in the red as substitute hooker Malcolm Marx rumbled over after a ruthless rolling maul.

An opportunity missed as South Africa - who have a four-day turnaround before facing Canada in Kobe on Tuesday - remain on course for the last eight.

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