So close as SA Schools edge Dragons

SOUTH Africa got their Under-18 International Series off to a wining start thanks to a last-gasp goaled try, but they will need to sharpen up on their defence structures if they want to give France a run for their money at Steenberg High School on Tuesday.

Yesterday’s first round of matches at Boland Landbou saw France beat England 4121 before the Baby Boks were pushed all the way by a Welsh side that had their number last year in the same competition.

France, on their effort, are the nation to beat

They are a big, strong side who thrive in open space, so SA Schools, who suffered three defeats last year, will need to be on guard if they want to make a fist of it.

The locals have only been together since Sunday and it showed, as they battled to tame a Welsh side able to expose them defensively in the red zone.

“We showed great fighting spirit especially by Jurich Classen’s match-winning try at the death,” said stand-in skipper Muzi Manyike.

“But we made minor errors and our defence wasn’t great.” True words indeed. New SA coach Sean Erasmus will have a few days to rectify defects in his side’s make-up, but he will be pleased with the way his forwards mauled and then scored in the red zone.

The young Dragons had their share of success in the mauling stakes, but trying to withstand one proved too hot for them to handle.

That said, it was their game to win until Classen at scrumhalf denied them in the 71st minute.

In a 70-minute encounter that saw the lead change hands a number of times, it was Wales who came out smoking.

While they gave up a number of penalties under pressure, two well-worked tries to one against gave the visitors a deserving 14-5 lead.

SA had to rely on penalties to keep the score ticking over and their first three tries were not converted.

But a fourth dotted down by No 8 Celimpilo Gumede just before half-time was put through the poles by scrumhalf Thomas Burly to put the home side ahead by a point at the break.

SA scored first after the break to go eight points clear, but Wales kept on fighting and they scored 12 unanswered points via two tries, the last converted to give them a 33-29 lead.

But Erasmus’ charges showed a lot of character when it mattered most to bounce back and dot down two more tries to on, the last with time up to snatch victory.

“We have work to do,” said Erasmus.

“Our communication wasn’t good, nor was our defence, so we will work on these things and other areas of concern.”