Madness.

Italian prop Andrea Lovotti was shown a red card this morning for an absolute horror challenge on South Africa’s Duane Vermuelen that will likely result in a lengthy ban.

Fellow prop Nicola Quaglio assisted him in the tackle and was very unlucky to escape a red card himself, with referee Wayne Barne’s deciding Lovotti was the main culprit.

Italy head coach Conor O’Shea called it an act of “crass stupidity” from the pair after his side were hammered 49-3 by an impressive Springboks side.

“One [Lovotti] has got his left leg in the air and then dropped him head-first,” Barnes 

“Blue [Italy] one is the worst offender of those two. He’s lifted him, 17 has started it. One has continued the action more and then dropped him on his head.

“This is a clear and easy decision. This is a red card.”