International round up: Italy beat Boks as Japan scare Wales

Italy's Sergio Parisse is tackled by South Africa's Rudy Paige and Adriaan Strauss at the Artmio Franchi Stadium in Florence. Picture: Getty Images

South Africa had won the previous 12 games between the two countries and were ahead inside five minutes as the returning Bryan Habana finished Willie le Roux’s clean break.

But Italy were soon ahead when Andries van Schalkwyk crashed over from a rolling maul and Carlo Canna converted.

Damian De Allende’s converted try regained the lead for South Africa, who were 12-10 ahead at the break following an Edoardo Padovani penalty.

Italy were reduced to 14 men at the start of the second half by Marco Fuser’s yellow card and a Patrick Lambie penalty gave the Springboks a five-point lead.

But Giovanbattista Venditti’s converted try put Italy 17-15 ahead, and the Azzurri held on for a famous victory after Elton Jantjies and Canna exchanged penalties in the final quarter.

Meanwhile, Sam Davies got Wales out of jail with a last-gasp drop goal as Japan were thwarted 33-30 at the Principality Stadium.

The Ospreys stand-off, on as a second-half substitute, struck during the closing seconds to give Wales victory.

Dan Lydiate, Jamie Roberts and Sam Warburton scored tries, while wing Leigh Halfpenny kicked 15 points as Wales triumphed, yet the hosts lacked consistency.

Japan looked far more threatening with the ball in hand as wingers Akihito Yamada and Kenki Fukuoka, plus substitute Amanaki Lotoahea, claimed tries. Fly-half Yu Tamura kicked three penalties and two conversions and Timothy Lafaele a conversion.