The Springboks had their Italian pizza and ate it like bosses, beating their Pool B rivals 49-3 on Friday.
Entering the match, coach Rassie Erasmus said this was his biggest assignment to date as Bok boss.
And his team stepped up their performance, dominating their opponents from start to finish to climb into second place on the pool standings.
They got their first try through Man of the Match Cheslin Kolbe, after he showed some great footwork to to beat two Italian defenders down the right touchline.
The Boks had to wait until the 27th minute for their second try after Bongi Mbonambi scored off the back of a rolling maul after a penalty apiece before that (14-3).
MAESTRO: Cheslin Kolbe. Picture: Peter Cziborra/Reuters.
Another Bok penalty made it 17-3 at the break.
Then a moment of madness by Italy props Andrea Lovotti and Nicola Quaglio saw them work together to perform a tip-tackle on Duane Vermeulen.
The former was red-carded and both received three-match bans afterwards.
The Boks made their man advantage count, with Kolbe scoring his second after collecting a Handre Pollard cross-kick in the 53rd minute.
They had to get the bonus point though, and that came five minutes later when Lukhanyo Am intercepted the ball to run in untouched (32-3).
A Willie le Roux kick was then collected by Makazole Mapimpi for another score, before RG Snyman and Malcolm Marx added tries to a well-earned win.
Kolbe update:
The Springboks announced a clean bill of health following Friday’s 49-3 Pool B win over Italy.
With fans concerned about wing Cheslin Kolbe after he rolled his ankle towards the end of the clash, the Boks sent out a statement that reads: “The player was x-rayed following the match - which proved to be clear - and was walking on Saturday.”
Coach Rassie Erasmus adds: “Cheslin’s ankle is a little stiff but he could probably play on Tuesday at a push.”