Flyhalf Morne Steyn scored 26 points, including two tries, as world champions South Africa beat Italy 55-11 at the Buffalo City Stadium on Saturday.
The win gave the Springboks a 2-0 series victory after they won the first Test 29-13 in Witbank last Saturday. South Africa begin the defence of their Tri-Nations title against New Zealand in Auckland on July 10.
“We needed to polish up a bit from last week and we were more clinical today,” said Springbok captain John Smit. “We’ve still got lots to work on before the Tri-Nations starts but it was a step in the right direction.
“We’ve got a good group to pick from and we want to make the most of the talent we’ve got available.”
The result of the match was never in doubt for the home side but the tenacious Italian defence forced numerous errors from the Springboks in a hard-fought first half.
Playing with a stiff southerly breeze at their backs, the hosts shook off a nervous opening quarter to run in three unanswered first-half tries before dominating after the break.
“The Springboks played very well today and we missed a lot of tackles,” said Italy captain Sergio Parisse. “They were more aggressive than they were last week and it’s not easy playing against the best team in the world.”
Italy, who made 10 changes to the side that lost the first test, were courageous on defence and combative at the breakdowns but had no answer to the pace of the Springboks.
Flyhalf Steyn and Italy wing Mirco Bergamasco traded early penalties before Steyn scored a solo try from close range in the 11th minute to make it 10-3.
Bergamasco cut the deficit to four points with a second penalty before Steyn stepped up with his second try on the half hour to make it 20-6.
Recalled lock Andries Bekker broke through the Italian midfield on the stroke of halftime before passing inside for eighth man Pierre Spies to score his team’s third try.
The Springboks notched up another three tries in the third quarter, to prop Jannie du Plessis, winger Bryan Habana and replacement forward Flip van der Merwe, to lead 48-6.
Habana’s try equalled the South African record of 38 held by former captain Joost van der Westhuizen.
Italy scored their only try in the 66th minute when winger Michele Sepe ran on to a Craig Gower grubber kick after a rare spell of sustained pressure by the visitors.
The Springboks had the final say when reserve prop BJ Botha crashed over on the hooter. – Reuters