Canan Moodie points to unique South African mentality as catalyst for Italy fightback

The match turned early when lock Franco Mostert was sent off in the 11th minute - marking the second consecutive weekend a Bok received a red card. Despite being down to 14 men, the team stayed composed, working tirelessly to score decisive tries in the final 20 minutes.

"It was a tough challenge, especially after the red card, but we had to fight and bring out our South African-ness," Moodie said. "We worked for each other and stuck to our plan, and thankfully got a good result."

Moodie highlighted the team's selflessness and cohesion as key to navigating adversity. "It's special being part of this group. Everyone puts the team first, and even under pressure, we can adapt and win," he said.

The match also offered a glimpse of emerging combinations, with Moodie briefly partnering rising star Ethan Hooker in the midfield. "It's a pairing we hope to develop further," he said.

The victory also answered critics of coach Rassie Erasmus' lineup changes, showing trust in players with limited minutes this year. Moodie praised the squad's ability to rise to the occasion: "We wanted to repay the coaches' trust by showing grit and securing the win."

Moodie attributes the team's composure under pressure to the ethos of "South African-ness" - resilience, adaptability, and selfless teamwork. "The red card brought adversity, but we reorganized and executed our plans. That is what makes this group special," he said.

Heading to Dublin, the Springboks will carry confidence from back-to-back tight wins, knowing they can sustain intensity over a full 80 minutes. "We'll see what Ireland throws at us, but we will be well prepared," Moodie said.

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