On a sunny Friday afternoon at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town, the Junior Springboks reclaimed some pride by defeating Wales 47-31 in the seventh-place playoff of the World Rugby U20 Championship.
With their forwards setting a dominant tone, the South African U20s delivered a performance that was arguably their best of the tournament, scoring seven tries, six of which came from their pack.
The Junior Boks, eager to end the championship on a high note after disappointing results against Argentina and England, capitalized on their opportunities with intent and patience. This forced Wales into a defensive mode, leading to energy-sapping tackles and ultimately, a South African victory.
Zachary Porthen, the prop and captain, led by example, scoring two tries and showcasing his leadership on the field. Sibabalwe Mahashe, the No. 8, also had a standout performance, celebrating a busy afternoon with two tries of his own.
The scoring began in the 10th minute when Porthen, showing remarkable agility for a prop, stepped through the Welsh defense to score the opening try.
Tylor Sefoor added the conversion, giving the hosts an early 7-0 lead. Ten minutes later, Mahashe extended the lead with a try in the left corner after a patient build-up by the Junior Bok pack. Although the conversion was missed, the Junior Boks were in control at 12-0.
The Junior Boks continued their dominance when JF van Heerden, the lock, scored their third try, with Mahashe once again playing a key role.
Sefoor’s successful conversion pushed the score to 19-0. Wales managed to reduce the deficit just before halftime, with Walker Price scoring in the corner from an attacking scrum, making it 19-5 at the break.
The second half began with Mahashe scoring his second try of the match, catching the Welsh defense off guard with a superb running line from an attacking lineout. Sefoor’s conversion increased the Junior Boks’ lead to 26-5.
Wales quickly responded with Aidan Boshoff scoring in the left corner, but the Junior Boks regained control and maintained pressure in their opponents’ half.
Jurenzo Julius, playing at center, exploited a half-gap before setting up Bathobele Hlekani, the flanker, with a deft grubber kick for a try. Sefoor’s conversion from the sideline extended the lead to 33-10. In the 63rd minute, Steffan Emanuel of Wales scored an intercept try from his own 22, narrowing the gap to 33-17.
However, the Junior Boks quickly countered with two more tries from Asad Moos, the scrumhalf, and Porthen, who secured his second try of the match. Replacement flyhalf Liam Koen converted both, pushing the score to 47-17.
Wales managed to score two late tries through Walker Price and Owen Conquer, as the Junior Boks’ defense briefly faltered. Despite this, the South African U20s had done more than enough to seal a well-deserved victory and finish the tournament on a high note.
The final scoreline reflected a dominant performance by the Junior Springboks, who made significant strides after their earlier disappointments in the tournament. The team’s ability to regroup and deliver such a strong performance in the playoff was a testament to their resilience and determination.
Scorers:
Junior Springboks 47 (19): Tries: Zachary Porthen (2), Sibabalwe Mahashe (2), JF van Heerden, Bathobele Hlekani, Asad Moos. Conversions: Tylor Sefoor (4), Liam Koen (2).
Wales 31 (5): Tries: Walker Price (2), Aidan Boshoff, Steffan Emanuel, Owen Conquer. Conversions: Harri Wilde (3).
The Junior Springboks’ victory over Wales not only allowed them to finish the World Rugby U20 Championship on a positive note but also showcased the potential and talent within the team.
With performances like this, the future of South African rugby looks promising, as these young players continue to develop and gain valuable experience on the international stage.
Source: SA Rugby
