Baby Boks run out of time

Junior Boks 31 England 32

A GOOD fightback has been the Junior Springboks’ friend in the World Rugby Under-20 Championship this year, but last night it wasn’t enough to overcome England and secure a place in the final.

In the first semi-final of the night, England had all the say when it came to territory and possession in the first half, and as has been the case in all three of their pool games, the Junior Boks produced a laudable comeback in the second half to turn a 15 point half-time deficit (22-7) into a one-point game in the last minute of the game.

Chean Roux’s team also ran out of luck against hosts France in their last group-stage game, when a brilliant first-half outing by the French proved too strong for an improved Junior Bok effort in the second.

And as much as they deserve praise for their comebacks, the Junior Boks just weren’t good enough on the day against a more clinical England side.

The Junior Springboks were under pressure very early on as they were shown yellow 6th in the minute, and England used it to their advantage and scored two tries.

The Junior Boks played a mostly defensive role in the first half. Just after the half-hour mark Sazi Sandi got the Junior Boks’ first try.