The Junior Springboks hammered hosts Argentina 41-16 to finish third overall at the U20 Championship in Rosario on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.
It is the third time in succession that Chean Roux’s charges have claimed bronze at the tournament and the eighth overall. Considering the Argentina U20s handed the Junior Springboks a defeat in Stellenbosch during pre-season, this was a great end to the visitors’ tournament.
While the SA U20s got off to a flying start, scoring within the first five minutes, they were pressed back for much of the contest and had to ride their luck in the first half as Argentina wasted a plethora of guilt-edged opportunities.
It must also be noted that Argentina left a total of 16 points on the board through some frankly appalling goal-kicking, something that ultimately cost them the match.
The match was played at a fast pace and high intensity as both sides looked to give the ball air whenever they could. The Junior Springboks got off to a good start as Nohamba reached over after a strong 5m scrum.
From there the match was largely dominated by the hosts, who wasted several guilt-edged opportunities. The SA U20 were also fortunate not to lose a man to the sin-bin, as the penalties tallied up against them.
A powerful carry and clever inside pass from inside centre Rickus Pretorius put Abrahams away for his first try, with the Junior Boks able to hold out for a 17-3 half-time lead.
The South Africans’ luck looked like it was running out as Argentina took less than a minute into the second half to score, when flyhalf Joaquin de la Vega Mendia stepped his way over from close out. Some poor defending allowed impressive wing Mateo Carreras to add a second try for the hosts. Replacement flyhalf Nicolas Roger finally nailed a penalty as the Junior Springboks’ lead was cut down to just one point.
However, the Junior Springboks seemed to awaken from their half-time slumber as fullback Vaughen Isaacs set up Abrahams for his brace, before JJ van der Mescht intercepted a pass and sprinted 22m to seal the match. Pretorius then broke the line and added a fifth try to a cherry on the top of the victory.
Junior Springboks – Tries: Sanele Nohamba, Thaakir Abrahams (2), JJ van der Mescht, Rickus Pretorius. Conversions: Nohamba (5). Penalty: Nohamba. Drop Goal: Coetzer.
Argentina U20 – Tries: Joaquin de la Vega Mendia. Conversions: Penalties: De la Vega Mendia, Roger.
Junior Springboks – 15 Vaughan Isaacs, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 David Kriel, 12 Rickus Pretorius, 11 Thaakir Abrahams, 10 David Coetzer, 9 Sanele Nohamba, 8 Phendulani Buthelezi (c), 7 Celimpilo Gumede, 6 Jaco Labuschagne, 5 Elrigh Louw, 4 JJ van der Mescht, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Fezokuhle Mbatha, 1 Kudzwai Dube.
Subs: 16 Dameon Venter, 17 Dian Bleuler, 18 Keagan Glade, 19 Thabiso Mdletshe, 20 Dylan Richardson, 21 Sibusiso Sangweni, 22 Caleb Dingaan, 23 Jaden Hendrikse, 24 Janko Swanepoel, 25 Marnus Potgieter, 26 Zwelendaba Mnombo.
Argentina U20 – 15 Ignacio Mendy, 14 Francisco Jorge, 13 Tomas Acosta Pimentel, 12 Geronimo Prisciantelli, 11 Mateo Carreras, 10 Joaquin de la Vega Mendia, 9 Gonzalo Garcia, 8 Bautista Pedemonte, 7 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 6 Jeronimo Gomez Vara, 5 Lucas Bur, 4 Manuel Berenstein, 3 Estanislao Carullo, 2 Pablo Dimcheff, 1 Thomas Gallo.
Subs: 16 Francisco Minervino, 17 Mariano Muntaner, 18 Francisco Coria, 19 Francisco Calandria, 20 Ramiro Tallone, 21 Santiago Ruiz, 22 Juan Cruz Perez Rachel, 23 Federico Parnas, 24 Joaquin Pellandini, 25 Nicolas Roger, 26 Rodrigo Isgro, 27 Marcos Moneta.
Photo: Marcelo Endelli – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
