Red-hot Junior Boks smash Aussies in Calvisano
The Junior Springboks started their World Rugby u20 Championship campaign like a house on fire, scoring 11 tries in a convincing 73-17 victory over Australia on a hot and windy Sunday afternoon at the Stadio San Michele, in Calvisano, Italy.
The Junior Boks played a controlled game with a clear plan, with their pack delivering a physical masterclass and providing their dangerous backs with a brilliant attacking platform.
Although they were sometimes undone by unnecessary errors, the SA u20s could not be faulted for their effort, attacking with intent and often ripping the Aussie defence to shreds and controlling the pace of the game by dominating possession.
Despite a few strong early carries, there were mistakes on the Junior Bok side, but they showed their intent in the sixth minute when scrumhalf Haashim Pead raced away for the opening try from a counterattack that started deep inside their own half, with hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele putting in a good run.
Flyhalf Vusi Moyo‘s conversion made it 7-0, but the Aussies pulled one back a few minutes later when their fullback, Sid Harvey, exposed a defensive lapse on the wing. The conversion missed, and the South Africans remained in the lead as they started to step up the pace.
The Junior Boks then delivered one body blow after the other in last 15 minutes of the half, scoring four tries to seize firm control of the match.
Prop Herman Lubbe bulldozed his way over after sustained pressure on attack before wing Siya Ndlozi went over for a brace of tries in six minutes, both from attacking breaks from the scrum, with Moyo converting all three to make it 28-5 three minutes before the break.
The South Africans were not done yet and their other wing, Cheswill Jooste, dotted down on the stroke of half-time after some great hands. Moyo missed his kick for the first time in the game, but at 33-5, it didn’t hurt the South African side.
After the break, the Junior Boks made a scorching start to the second stanza, running in four more tries in the first 12 minutes of the half, to ruthlessly seal the deal with a superb display of attacking rugby.
Pead scored his second from an attack after a Wallaby kick in the 45th minute before fullback Gilermo Mentoe intercepted a pass and raced 80m downfield to add another five points to South Africa;s rapidly growing tally.
Two minutes later, lock JJ Theron smashed his way over after a great run by flank Xola Nyali, which brought up 50 points for South Africa. A few moments later, Jaco Grobbelaar crashed over in the corner shortly after replacing Theron.
Moyo converted three of those four tries and, with 25-odd minutes to go, the Junior Boks led 59-5. They soon made it 66-5, just before the hour-mark, when Nyali broke away from a maul and ran 30m to score. Replacement flyhalf Ian van der Merwe made no mistake from the tee.
Australia was able to get their hands on more possession, but the Junior Bok defence held firm as coach Kevin Foote emptied the South African bench.
With 10 minutes to go, the Junior Wallabies finally scored a second try when wing Cooper Watters dived over in the corner. A few minutes later, he added a second as the heat started to take its toll.
Replacement wing, Jaco Williams, had the final say, though, as he intercepted and scored from the halfway line to seal a superb victory for the Junior Boks.
Scorers
Junior Springboks 66 (33) – Tries: Haashim Pead (2), Herman Lubbe, Siya Ndlozi (2), Cheswill Jooste, Gilermo Mentoe, JJ Theron, Jaco Grobbelaar, Xola Nyali, Jaco Williams. Conversions: Vusi Moyo (7), Ian van der Merwe (2).
Australia 17 (5) – Tries: Sid Harvey, Cooper Watters (2). Conversion: Sid Harvey.
