Bok changes on cards

THE Junior Springboks did not have the tactical intelligence to emulate their senior counterparts by overturning a massive deficit, as they were dumped out of the U20 World Championships, losing 32-21 to England yesterday.

South Africa made a poor start and were 19-0 down inside 23 minutes in Narbonne, but fought bravely until the end only to come up inches short.

After a shocking first 30 minutes, which was a repeat of their final pool match against France last Thursday, they left themselves firmly on the back foot.

Leaky defence and England’s sure handling and pace in the greasy conditions caught the Junior Boks out.

England took early command of the match, which gave them enough daylight to cling on to until the end.

In difficult, slippery conditions, the Junior Boks took time to gain ascendancy over England, and although they outscored the Six Nations powerhouse 24-10 in the second half, it was too little, too late.

In a second half they completely dominated, SA captain Salmaan Moerat chose to kick several penalties to the corner when they were well within three-point range.

Although prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye scored from one of those lineouts late in the game, had the Junior Boks kicked an earlier penalty when they were 25-19 down, the match might have panned out differently.

At that stage, England were on the rack and visibly wilting. But they survived the lineout drive and then scored an intercept try through wing Jordan Olowofele that took the game out of SA’s reach.

What might have been a three-point gap, suddenly became 13 points with 18 minutes to play. It was too wide to bridge despite an excellent late surge by SA.

Both sides also suffered yellow cards, with SA No 8 Muller Uys carded for a high tackle in the first half and England lock James Scott binned six minutes from the end for repeated infringements.

While Uys was off the field, England, who were already swarming over the Junior Bokkies, made the most of the numerical advantage.

Fullback Tom Parton and centre Tom Hardwick scored tries while Uys cooled off on the sidelines, which immediately put the Junior Boks in a difficult position.

When England scrumhalf Ben White streaked away for their third try after 23 minutes it seemed the game was up for SA.

But the Junior Boks showed good character to fight back, scoring a 33rd-minute try from close range through prop Sazi Sandi that gave them a little lift going into the break.

Just after half time, Uys rumbled over to narrow the gap and when lock Ruan Nortje forced his way over in the 54th minute the match was finely balanced.

With the SA pack in control and momentum fully in SA’s favour, they failed to take several kickable penalties that could have erased the deficit. Inevitably England, through Olowofele, broke the shackles.

The Junior Boks again refused to roll over and added late tries via centre Manny Rass and Ntlbakanye to set up a nail-biting final three minutes. England were able to manage it just that little bit better than SA.

Scorers:

SA – Tries: Sazi Sandi, Muller Uys, Ruan Nortje, Manny Rass, Asenathe Ntlabakanye. Conversions: Giovanni Lombard (3).

England – Tries: Tom Parton, Tom Hardwick, Ben White, Jordan Olowofele. Conversions: Marcus Smith (3). Penalties: Smith (2).