England’s young guns go down to Boks in a thriller
STEHAN Heymans’ 79th minute penalty broke England U18s hearts as South Africa beat Jonathan Pendlebury’s side 44-41 in a nail-biting final game of their three-match tour.
England outscored their hosts by seven tries to five (which included a penalty try), but their wayward goal-kicking and discipline were costly as the SA U18 kickers, fly-half Thurlon Williams and his replacement Stehan Heymans kicked three penalty goals on a flawless day from the tee.
The visitors got an early try when Jack Bennett went over with numbers to his left as they managed to find gaps in the SA defence. But that didn’t deter the SA U18s, and Thomas Dyer scored their first try 12 minutes later after sustained pressure on attack.
Two minutes later though, England went over again, this time through Louie Trevett to restore their seven-point lead.
However, it only lasted for five minutes before Ethan Bester scored a great maul try.
England hit back straight away as Will Glister found space on the right side of the field to score their third try.
SA U18 got a penalty try after another great driving maul, which saw the teams go into the break even on points at 21-21. Williams slotted two penalty goals and Dyer scored his second try, while Loic Keasey and Henry Pollock went over for tries for the visitors, who were not scared to run from deep within their own half.
England then added two more tries – from scrumhalf Archie McParland in the 58th minute and replacement prop George Edson two minutes later – but the conversions were off target and they only led by seven points with 10 minutes to go.
The SA U18s finished strong, with a try by fullback Joel Leotlela and a sideline conversion from Heymans levelling the scores with time running out on the clock.
Heymans then landed the match-winning penalty goal with a minute left in the game and the South African supporters could smile after a see-saw 70 minutes of great rugby action in Paarl.
Earlier in the day, France snuck home against the SA U18 A team, winning 20-15.