SA U20s pass tough test at World Cup

THE Junior Springboks scored six tries to keep their World Rugby Under 20 Championship semifinal hopes on track with a comprehensive win over hosts Georgia yesterday.

It was a much slicker performance from South Africa after their last-gasp draw against France on Thursday.

The final score was 38-14.

Playing against the tournament hosts in front of a passionate crowd in Tbilisi was always going to test the team’s mental fortitude as much as their physical willingness‚ and the Junior Boks passed both examinations.

It was far from a flawless performance from SA‚ with the lineout malfunctioning at times‚ several lapses in defence and ill-discipline that saw replacement loose forward No 8 Zain Davids red-carded for head-butting.

But there was also a lot for coach Chean Roux to be pleased about.

The backline, with Manie Libbok starting at flyhalf and a new centre combination in Damian Willemse and Wandisile Simelane, were slick on attack and effective in slowing down Georgian ball.

The Junior Boks are top of Pool C on seven points after France beat Argentina 26-25 earlier in the day. Victory over Argentina on Thursday will be enough for them to automatically qualify for the last four.

Scorers:

Georgia – Tries: Lasha Tabidze‚ Giorgi Gogoladze. Conversions: Gela Aprazidze (2).

SA – Tries: Juarno Augustus‚ Wandisile Simelane (2)‚ Manie Libbok (2)‚ Yaw Penxe. Conversions: Jean-Luc Cilliers (2)‚ Curwin Bosch (2).