Olowofela try just enough to hold off fierce Bok fightback
ENGLAND booked their place in a sixth consecutive Junior World Cup final with the narrowest of wins over South Africa in Narbonne on Tuesday.
Steve Bates’ side, who face France in the final today, led 22-7 at the break against the Junior Springboks, but were forced to cling on in the face of a fierce second half onslaught from the Baby Boks.
First half tries from Tom Parton, Tom Hardwick and Ben White, plus seven points from the boot of Marcus Smith set England on their way with South Africa’s powerful tighthead Sazi Sandi responding.
Leicester flier Jordan Olowofela’s converted try pushed England further ahead but South Africa hit back through Muller Uys, Ruan Nortje, Manuel Rass and Asenathi Ntlabakanye to narrow the deficit to just a point with minutes to go.
But England went through the phases to close out a bruising encounter.
For England it will be an opportunity to add a fourth title after wins in 2013, 2014 and 2016 in Manchester.
Bates said: “It is a great achievement for these guys, they played some really good rugby in the first half but couldn’t quite get enough ball in the second which meant it ended up being a tight game. Now we have to recover and prepare for Sunday’s final.”
South Africa had an early yellow card, with No.8 Muller Uys sent to the sin bin for a late tackle on Marcus Smith.
England made the Junior Springboks pay with Parton going over in the corner for the first points of the game before Hardwick powered through midfield for a second during the period which Smith converted for 12-0.
There was better to come for England with White finishing off under the posts after a searing break by Gabriel Ibitoye on the right wing, Smith converting.
South Africa had their first points after Sandi bundled over from close range after a period of sustained pressure and Gianni Lombard’s conversion reduced the deficit to 19-7.
Smith’s penalty gave England a 22-7 lead at the break but the Baby Boks had a second try shortly after the restart with Uys crashing over off the back of a driving maul.
Smith struck a second penalty before South Africa had a third try via Nortje , which Lombard converted, but Olowofela showed great pace to run in a loose ball from halfway, and Smith added the extras for 32-19.
Rass then went over to add more late drama and the Boks pressed further when England lock James Scott was sin binned for repeated offences.
Asenathi Ntlabakanye powered over from two metres out and the conversion made it 32-31 with four England holding out for the final four minutes.