1/10: Three Springboks who flopped against Italy despite big win

The Springboks may have cruised to a dominant shutout victory in Gqeberha, but not every player in green and gold emerged with their reputation intact. Despite ringing the changes and racing to a 26-0 halftime lead—thanks to tries from Grant Williams, Edwill van der Merwe (twice), and Canan Moodie—several individuals failed to make the most of their opportunities.

Jasper Wiese’s reckless red card marred an otherwise clinical first-half performance, while the second period saw the Boks reduced to 13 men but still able to extend their lead through scores from Malcolm Marx, Makazole Mapimpi, and Jan-Hendrik Wessels. However, beneath the scoreboard dominance, a few performances raised eyebrows for all the wrong reasons.

Here are three Springboks who flopped in an otherwise resounding win.

Struggled after being selected out of position at loosehead prop, where he was exposed in the scrum, particularly against Italy’s Danilo Fischetti. Hooked before halftime after a series of technical errors despite showing some effort with ball in hand. Overall, a disappointing outing for a player more comfortable at tighthead.

Planet. Rugby 3/10: "Struggled at loosehead, being removed after just 30 minutes. Will be frustrated after being, once again, played out of position. One of the best tightheads in the world…but not a Test loosehead."

Rugby Pass 4/10: "The Bath powerhouse was hooked before the break after a few scrummaging errors picked up by the Bok staff. Tried to redeem himself with ball in hand, but it wasn’t enough to keep him on"

Flo Rugby 3/10: "Du Toit was selected out of position and paid the price. He struggled in the scrum against Ferrari, offering little stability. Withdrawn before halftime, he’s a top-class tighthead but simply not suited to loosehead at Test level."

Rugby 35 4.5/10: "Put in a massive scrum effort after Wiese was red-carded. He left the field after 30 minutes, replaced by Nche after a less than impressive performance."

Had a powerful start with dominant carries and tackles but undid all his good work with an early red card for headbutting. His reckless decision left South Africa a man down for most of the match, overshadowing his physical presence and raising concerns over his discipline in big games.

Rugby Pass 3/10: "Started with intent, making several powerful carries and tackles, but his day ended early after a red card for headbutting Danilo Fischetti."

Flo Rugby 1/10: "A reckless red card for a headbutt overshadowed what could have been a special day alongside his brother. His error left the Boks a man down for 60 minutes. A rare lapse in judgment from an otherwise cerebral player."

The South African 5/10: "For all his excellence on the rugby field, Jasper Wiese sometimes does exceptionally daft things. He was red carded as early as the 22nd minute for a clear head-butt. And while his thuggish behaviour may not have proved costly for the Springboks today, it could have major repercussions against better opposition in more significant games. He needs a stern talking to after this stunt."

Planet Rugby 2/10: "After a confident start to proceedings, Wiese’s evening hit a disastrous roadblock when he was red-carded for head-butting Italy prop, Danilo Fischetti. Referee Andrew Brace issued the Springboks number eight with a straight red card, bypassing the 20-minute red card rule due to the action being deemed deliberate and highly dangerous. This left his teammates one short for the final three-quarters of the match."

Rugby 365 4/10: "He almost scored in the third minute, but unfortunately lost the ball on his charge, and put in massive tackles. Unfortunately, he was red-carded after the loose forward lashed out and headbutted his opposition."

On his captaincy debut, Moerat had a mixed performance. He showed leadership and composure after Wiese’s dismissal and was solid under high balls, but made costly errors in handling and discipline, including a key penalty. A steady but unspectacular display in a challenging context.

Rugby Pass 5/10: "Captaining South Africa for the first time, Moerat had a patchy outing – a few handling errors and little impact at the lineout. Still, his composure helped settle the team after Wiese’s red card."

Planet Rugby 5/10: "There were question marks about his involvement in the team, and his display today did nothing to quash them. While he didn’t make too many mistakes, he certainly didn’t appear to add anything to a team already filled with world-class talent. His final involvement ended with him giving away a penalty, his third of the night."

Rugby 365 5/10: "Unfortunately, the captain did not have his best outing for the Boks. He was strong under the kick-offs, his communication with the referee was consistent and effective, but he also conceded a silly penalty, going off his feet, resulting in a lineout five metres from the Springboks’ tryline. Replaced in the 55th minute by Cobus Wiese."