The South Africa Under-18 team launched their U18 International Series campaign in spectacular style, hammering France 59-07 in a dominant, one-sided opening round display at Hoërskool Durbanville.
Following nine minutes of fierce defensive stalemates, the SA U18S broke the deadlock when winger Lamla Mgedezi outsprinted the French cover defence to dot down a spectacular 40-metre try. Flyhalf Ethan van Biljon added the extra two points from the tee to secure an early 07-00 lead.
France hit back ten minutes later. Building patient phases, Les Bleus marched into the South African red zone. Hooker Luani Suta sniped from the back of an attacking ruck to crash over. Jehlani Trillo's successful
The hosts quickly wrestled back the momentum. In the 23rd minute, captain Jacobus de Villiers spearheaded a powerful rolling maul off a set-piece lineout to power over the whitewash. Van Biljon made no mistake with the conversion, pushing the score to 14-07.
With just four minutes remaining in the first half, crisp handling put Anesu Kuzonyei into space. The speedy backline player finished clinically in the corner. Van Biljon slotted a brilliant touchline conversion to send the SA U18 team into the halftime break with a commanding 21-07 cushion.
The South African youth side showed no signs of slowing down after the interval. Just four minutes into the second half, Ncuthu Kepe showcased blistering pace to split the French defenders out wide. Van Biljon added the extras to stretch the advantage to 28-07.
Only three minutes later, the green-and-gold pack executed another flawless lineout set-piece, allowing Stefan van der Vyver to crash over from the back of the maul and extend the lead to 33-07.
As pressure mounted, France U18 conceded two yellow cards in quick succession. The numerical disadvantage made it impossible for the visitors to seal the gaps in their defensive line.
With complete control of the collision and territory, South Africa ran riot in the final quarter. Rapid-fire tries from Luke Doyle, Ethan Barker, Lamla Mgedezi (bagging his brace), and Thabiso Simelane blew the scoreline out to a resounding 59-07 with five minutes still left on the stadium clock.
Scorers:
South Africa U18: Tries: Lamla Mgedezi (2), Jacobus De Villiers, Anesu Kuzonyei, Ncuthu Kepe, Stefan Van Der Vyver, Luke Doyle, Ethan Barker, Thabiso Simelane. Conversions: Ethan Van Biljon (5), Achmat Behardien (2).
France U18: Try: Luani Suta. Conversion: Jehlani Trillo.
Teams:
South Africa U18: 1 Clement Makelele, 2 Charles Whitehead, 3 Nicolas Salamousas, 4 Juvan Burden, 5 Jean Dreyer, 6 Stefan Van Der Vyver, 7 Jamie Wimble, 8 Jacobus De Villiers, 9 Mickyle Booise, 10 Ethan Van Biljon, 11 Ncuthu Kepe, 12 Tiaan Basson, 13 Erin Nelson, 14 Anesu Kuzonyei, 15 Lamla Mgedezi. Replacements: 16 Theo Boshoff, 17 Aphelele Chamane, 18 Ruben Lombard, 19 Glodi Tshipamba, 20 Werner De Bruin, 21 Siphesihle Marule, 22 Luke Doyle, 23 Achmat Behardien, 24 Ethan Barker, 25 Thabiso Simelane, 26 Luxolo Sonkononkono.
France U18: 1 Quentin Andrieu, 2 Luani Suta, 3 Arthur Horst, 4 Pierre-mathieu Laborde, 5 Hippolyte Carnot, 6 Ewen Morvan, 7 Martin Rous, 8 Heamani Suta, 9 Jonas Fradet, 10 Jehlani Trillo, 11 Nolan Debernard, 12 Philippe Roudaut, 13 Tom Juin, 14 Doryan Petitgenet, 15 Sacha Codorniou. Replacements: 16 Jean Forestier, 17 Aubin Richerol, 18 Tymeo Bohnenstengel, 19 Preston Tekori, 20 Konrad Faupala, 21 Arthur Noel, 22 Mathys Teyssier, 23 Flavien Laruelle, 24 Malo Poulon, 25 Lucas Gues, 26 Maxime Salignon.