Springboks grind out 26-0 win over Italy

By Ken Borland

CAPE TOWN (Reuters) - Hooker Bismarck du Plessis scored two tries from lineout drives as South Africa ground out an unimpressive 26-0 win over Italy in terrible conditions in a one-off test on Saturday.

Steady rain fell throughout most of the match and, after torrential downpours on the days leading up to the match, the pitch was a slippery morass.

Despite dominating territory and possession, the Springboks could only gather four tries, by flyhalf Francois Steyn and prop Tendai Mtawarira, and the brace by Du Plessis.

"I said we'd take any win," Springbok coach Peter de Villiers told a news conference.

"In the wet conditions we looked after our lineout ball nicely, and we knew that Italy were one of the better driving teams in the Six Nations. But our scrums were quite indifferent."

The Springboks were most impressive when their forwards drove with the ball and Du Plessis scored in the 17th and 44th minutes from the protection of the rolling maul.

Steyn, starting at flyhalf for the first time, scored his try with a dazzling piece of individual skill and succeeded with three conversions but was occasionally found wanting in the pivot position.

South Africa made a good start after six minutes when Steyn outran several scrambling defenders in Italy's 22 to collect his own grubber kick, slide over for the try and then slot the conversion.