Ferocious Baby Boks book place in the final

SOUTH Africa made it three out of three victoriesas they scored five tries to sweep to a superb win and set up a final against Wales.

France took an early lead as Louis BielleBiarrey rounded off a nicely worked move, and although South Africa hit back with tries from Suleiman Hartzenberg and Ruan Venter, Les Bleus went into the break in touch courtesy of a lineout drive finished by Connor Sa.

South Africa extended their lead as Venter again powered over from close range, but France again responded through Bielle-Barrey’s second to cut the gap back to five points.

But two more South African tries followed through Imad Khan and Lukhanyo Vokozela, and though France snatched a late consolation through Jules Coulon, it was too little too late for a French side that ended the group stage winless.

For South Africa’s Baby Boks, it was a clean sweep of wins in Pool A, having already seen off England and Ireland – with none of their three opposition managing to get within a score.

France needed to win with a bonus point, and deny South Africa any bonus points of their own, to stand a chance of topping the pool, and with their stunning opening try through Bielle-Barrey it looked as if they could spring a surprise.

South Africa needed a spark to get themselves into the contest, and flyhalf Sacha Mngomezulu – who enjoyed a brilliant game in open play and off the tee – produced a delicate chip which was collected by Khan, who fed Hartzenberg for their first try.

South Africa had found their rhythm and Venter barrelled over twice from sustained Boks pressure through their relentless pickand-go, either side of Sa’s score for France and a penalty for each of the sides.

Bielle-Barrey’s second, after France had some sustained pressure of their own and Juann Else went to the bin for the Boks, gave Les Bleus plenty of hope, but Khan’s fine finish from an exquisite Mngomezulu pass all but sealed victory for South Africa.

The in-form fly-half then knocked over a final penalty, before the sides exchanged unconverted tries to secure a terrific win for South Africa, and give France a four-try bonus point which ensured they stay ahead of Ireland in Pool A, and now face Georgia in the cross-pool match.