South Africa picked up where they left off in the Nations Championship by dismantling injury-hit Italy 66-7 in Turin on Saturday to claim a fourth consecutive bonus-point victory.

A Springboks squad boasting more than 1,000 caps ran in nine tries at the Allianz Stadium.

The victory put the world champions alone on top of the Southern Hemisphere standings with a perfect 20 points and +140 points difference following big home wins against England, Scotland and Wales in July.

South Africa face France in Paris next Friday before a trip to Ireland as they look to claim a place in the inaugural Nations Championship final at Twickenham at the end of the month.

The Azzurri will hope to bounce back in their final two home games.

They face Argentina in Genoa next Saturday before welcoming Fiji to Udine on November 21.

In Cardiff, Wales beat Japan 28-21 on Saturday to claim their second win of the inaugural Nations Championship.

Wales entertain New Zealand next weekend eyeing an unlikely first victory over the All Blacks since 1953.

Eddie Jones's Japan have just one win from four fixtures in the tournament.

Meanwhile, in Edinburgh, Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu was left lamenting his side's ill-discipline following a 43-21 defeat by New Zealand at Murrayfield.

Ewan Ashman became the first Scotland player to score a hat-trick of tries against New Zealand, the hooker's treble coming before half-time to give the hosts hope of a first win in this fixture.

The All Blacks only led 24-21 at the break but Scotland failed to score a point in a second half where Tuipulotu was sent to the sin-bin. (AFP)




Edited by Tony Sabine