Springboks tame Italy

World champions South Africa ran in four tries to overcome a spirited challenge from Italy and record the first victory of their European tour with a 32-10 win in the northern city of Udine.

The Springboks got off to a bright start after last week's 20-13 loss in France and defeats by English clubs Leicester and Saracens.

Wing Bryan Habana popped up to open the scoring with a try in the fifth minute after Italy flanker Simone Favaro had been sin-binned for a late charge on a kicker and then turned provider for centre Jaque Fourie to go under the posts.

Flyhalf Morne Steyn added the extra points after missing the previous conversion and hitting the post with an early penalty.

Italy fought back. Flyhalf Craig Gower set up centre Gonzalo Garcia to go over in the 33rd and knocked over the conversion with the post's help to make amends after missing a penalty and a drop attempt.

The hosts kept the pressure on the visitors after the break, causing huge problems in the scrum as they had against the All Blacks in last week's brave 20-6 defeat in Milan.

Steyn eased it with a penalty before scrumhalf Fourie du Preez finished off a sweeping move to touch down in the 53rd minute put South Africa firmly in charge.

Wynand Olivier wrapped up the win with another try in the closing stages.

"It was a very hard game and we knew it was going to be hard. But in the end we stuck at what we wanted to do and it came through for us," Fourie told Sky television.

He added that the Springboks were now keen to end a year in which they won the Tri-nations and a series against the British and Irish Lions on a high with victory in Ireland next week.

"It's been an amazing season. Next week's game against Ireland in Dublin is going to be a big one for us and hopefully we can pull it off to end a good year."

Italy will be seeking to end a long losing streak against Samoa in the central town of Ascoli Piceno next Saturday.

- Reuters