Joel Stransky kicked 20 points to ensure a comfortable 40-21 win for the Boks over Italy in 1995, with South Africa having won all 11 Tests against the Azzurri since then.

More than two decades after the Boks clinched that victory in Rome, the Springboks have arrived in Italy once again, desperately searching for a much-needed win after a forgettable 2016 season.

Importantly, history is on their side, with the Boks having come up trumps ever since that first Test encounter against Italy in 1995.

The Boks headed into that clash as recently crowned world champs, but they certainly didn’t have it all their own way against a gallant Italian side.

In fact, Italy led 21-17 some 15 minutes into the second half, but the Boks were then finally able to pull away to secure what was then their ninth successive victory.

Besides Stransky keeping the scoreboard ticking over with four penalties, he was also successful with every conversion attempt, with Francois Pienaar, Japie Mulder and Hennie le Roux all dotting down, while a penalty try was also awarded.

From there, the Boks went on to clinch another hard-fought victory over England to end a historic year undefeated under the guidance of coach Kitch Christie.

Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images