A fast start from the Junior Springboks was not enough to topple defending champions New Zealand in a dramatic U20 Rugby Championship decider in Gqeberha on Sunday.
Three well-executed tries inside the opening 15 minutes, including a powerful maul finish by hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele, handed the hosts a commanding 19-0 lead at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, but were ultimately edged 48-45.
Centre Albie Bester and prop Simphiwe Ngobese also crossed early as the South Africans capitalised on strong set-piece work and early Kiwi ill-discipline.
Although New Zealand struck back through Harlyn Saunoa and skipper Manumaua Letiu, the Junior Boks responded via Gino Cupido’s effort to restore a 14-point buffer. But an intercepted pass just before the break led to Saunoa’s third try, cutting the Junior Bok lead to 26-24 at half time.
New Zealand seized the initiative after the break, scoring four tries — including a double for Maloni Kunawave and a slick finish by Stanley Solomon — as their backs continually exploited gaps in the Junior Boks’ rush defence.
Winger Wandile Mlaba’s brace of tries kept the hosts in the contest. A red card to NZ’s Caleb Woodley and a penalty try for a collapsed maul reduced the deficit to three points with three minutes left, but the visitors clung on with 13 men to retain their title.
In the early match, Australia scored three tries either side of half time and fullback Sid Harvey kicked eight points to beat Argentina 40-36, after the teams were deadlocked 19-19 at the break.
Photo: @SAJuniorRugby/Twitter
