Kolisi says Springboks will put Italy win before bonus points

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi said South Africa would focus on beating Italy before pursuing a bonus point in their Nations Championship match in Turin, with the result also affecting the team’s position against New Zealand in the southern hemisphere standings. South Africa and New Zealand were level on 15 points before the match. South Africa held the advantage on points difference, 81 to 51, according to pre-match standings reported by the teams’ coverage. Kolisi said the Springboks would consider seeking a bonus point only if they had taken control of the game, and that they could not influence New Zealand’s results. The match against Italy was scheduled for Saturday, November 7, at the Allianz Stadium in Turin. Its outcome was not established in the reports. South Africa’s campaign continues with matches against France and Ireland, and the results across the competition will shape the teams’ chances of reaching the Finals Weekend. Kolisi said the team needed to take the match as it developed and respect Italy on home ground. South Africa had played Italy three times the previous year, winning in Pretoria and Gqeberha before a further victory in Turin. The reports described...