Coach Coetzee praises ‘clinical’ Springbok

PADUA: Springbok coach Allister Coetzee has praised his team’s “clinical” 35-6 destruction of Italy in wet and slippery conditions in Padua.

South Africa ran in five tries on Saturday to avenge last year’ s historic defeat to the Azzurri and achieve their biggest win in Italy since 1997.

Coetzee was particularly delighted with the forwards who scored four tries, sealing a second straight win after beating France 18-17 in Paris last weekend.

“I think it was a very clinical effort by especially our pack of forwards, who laid the foundation for a pleasing performance,” said 54-year-old Coetzee.

At the time of Italy’s first ever victory over South Africa in Florence it had looked that Coetzee would not see out 2016, but he has rebuilt a squad which in Italy had just five players from that day last November.

“You have to work very hard up herein the northern hemisphere and be able to adjust your game, which I thought we did very well,” continued Coetzee, who has won just 11 of 23 Tests since taking the helm in 2016.

“Our set piece was excellent and although the conditions were not good for our backs, they contributed with a very good defensive effort to help keep our opponents scoreless.

“Our composure was good throughout the match, and I have to praise the team’s leadership, who were yet again outstanding. We had a plan and they ensured we stuck to it.”