Cronje scores on debut as Boks power past France

Scrum-half Ross Cronje scored a try on his debut as South Africa returned to form with a 37-14 victory over an under-strength France in the first Test in Pretoria yesterday.

The Springboks started nervously but scored four tries as centres Jesse Kriel and Jan Serfontein also crossed over, to go with a penalty try. France, who had made 10 changes from the side who played Wales in their final Six Nations match in March, were in the game until the final quarter as centre Henry Chavancy and replacement scrum-half Baptiste Serin crossed the try-line for the visitors.

In full-back Israel Folau ended a year-long scoring drought with two tries as they beat 37-14 yesterday.

The Wallabies have often had difficulty in season-opening matches, but made no mistake yesterday, dominating from the outset when full-back Folau scored his first try in the third minute and winger Henry Speight added another seven minutes later — his first of two on the day — to give Australia an 18-0 lead at half-time.

Folau’s second try came in the 55th minute. Replacement hooker and regular captain Stephen Moore also scored for the Wallabies.

Vereniki Goneva and Timoci Nagusa scored second-half tries for Fiji.

The last time 28-year-old Folau crossed for a try for the Wallabies was last June against England.

“Really happy with the guys, the intent was really strong but it was a performance that was indicative of a six-day preparation,” Australia captain Michael Hooper said.

“We probably left two or three [tries] out there. The Fijians’ offload game was pretty hard to deal with at times.

“I was really impressed with some of our defence in the first half, keeping them to zero was pleasing.”

Meanwhile, in Kumamtro, Michael Leitch ran in a try in the second half as

beat 33-21. Romania took an early 6-0 lead from Florin Vlaicu penalties. But Japan took control when Akihito Yamada sprinted over from 30 metres in the 12th minute and Kenki Fukuoka added another try 10 minutes later.

Jumpei Ogura converted both tries and added a penalty as the hosts took a comfortable 23-9 lead at the interval.

Leitch gave Japan a 28-9 lead only 90 seconds after the break. Romania closed the gap but Japan defended well and maintained their 12-point lead to the final whistle.