South Africa hold off spirited Italy in Test opener

South Africa (28) 42

Tries: Kriel, Van den Berg (2), Arendse, Koch, Van Staden Cons: Pollard (6)

Italy (3) 24

Tries: Zuliani, Dimcheff, N Cannone Cons: Da Re (3) Pen: Da Re

World champions South Africa began their Test season with an entertaining 42-24 victory over a youthful Italy at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.

Stand-in captain Jesse Kriel gave the Springboks the perfect start in the 11th minute before scrum-half Morne van den Berg, playing only his third international, scored twice.

In a blistering first-half performance, rapid wing Kurt-Lee Arendse also picked up a try to establish a 28-3 lead.

After the break though, Italy slowed the green tidal wave, benefiting from debutant Vincent Tshituka's try being ruled out for obstruction, and reducing the arrears with a score from hooker Manuel Zuliani.

Replacement Vincent Koch bundled in for South Africa, but the visitors stormed back and were only denied a try by a brilliant saving tackle from Arendse on Simone Gesi.

The Azzurri were not finished, however, as Pablo Dimcheff scored with 15 minutes to go and captain Niccolo Cannone forced his way through to set up a dramatic conclusion.

A try from flanker Marco van Staden with eight minutes left finally halted the revival, as the Springboks closed out the win.

However, the home side's vulnerability in the second half offered hope to their rivals in a summer that includes two Test matches each against Australia and New Zealand.

South Africa: Willemse; Kolbe, Kriel (c), De Allende, Arendse, Pollard, Van den Berg; Nche, Marx, Louw, Etzebeth, De Jager, Van Staden, Tshituka, Wiese.

Replacements: Mbonambi, Wessels, Koch, Snyman, Mostert, Smith, De Klerk, Le Roux.

Italy: Trulla; Lynagh, Menoncello, Zanon, Gesi, Da Re, Fusco; Fischetti, Di Bartolomeo, Ferrari, N Cannone, Zambonin, Izekor, Zuliani, L Cannone.

Replacements: Dimcheff, Spagnolo, Hasa, Canali, Vintcent, Odiase, Garbisi, Bertaccini.

Referee: Hollie Davidson (Scotland).