The SA U18 ‘A’ team secured a hard-fought 20-00 victory over Georgia at Boland Landbou on Tuesday. Having narrowly edged Ireland 32-31 in their opening-round thriller, the young South Africans produced a far more clinical defensive display this time around.
The match was played in punishing, extremely windy conditions, which heavily disrupted both sides' attacking structures.
SA U18 ‘A’ started like a house on fire, dominating both territory and possession for an extended period. However, they initially failed to convert that early dominance into points on the scoreboard. The opening 20 minutes proved to be a nervous, scrappy, and error-ridden period for both teams, leaving the scoreboard motionless.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 27th minute. A well-executed, long pass from flyhalf Travis Pheiffer unleashed Drewyn Baron into space, allowing the winger to dive over in the corner. That unconverted try gave the hosts a 05-00 lead, which they held until the half-time whistle.
The junior South Africans found their rhythm early in the second half. Pheiffer first slotted a penalty to extend the lead to 08-00. Shortly after, inside the first five minutes of the second half, winger Ruan Genis brilliantly controlled a deft kick-pass from Jaydon Viljoen to cross the whitewash, pushing the scoreline to 13-00.
Georgia fought bravely but could not break through the resolute South African defensive line. With time up on the clock, lock Bernhardt Schulze crashed over from close range to put the exclamation mark on the performance, sealing a comprehensive 20-00 shutout victory.
Scorers:
South Africa U20 A: Tries: Drewyn Baron, Ruan Genis, Bernhardt Schulze. Conversion: Jaydon Viljoen. Penalty: Travis Pheiffer.
Georgia U20:
Teams:
South Africa U18 A: 1 Matthew Prins, 2 Kwaza Gobingca, 3 Sebastiaan Bekker, 4 Bulelani Cebani, 5 Martin Van Niekerk, 6 Nala Shabangu, 7 AD Faul, 8 Zander Muller, 9 Liam De Villiers, 10 Travis Pheiffer, 11 Thomas Saunders, 12 Amogelang Mataboge, 13 Nathan Aneke, 14 Drewyn Baron, 15 Rhandzu Mkhabela. Replacements: 16 Charl Els, 17 Max Malan, 18 Priden Sibiya, 19 Bernhardt Schulze, 20 Linakho Mehlomakulu, 21 Rufagon Hendricks, 22 Jaydon Viljoen, 23 Ruan Genis, 24 Lucritia Magau, 25 Niel Du Randt, 26 Albertus Nel.
Georgia U18: 1 Luka Barbakadze, 2 Saba Gogrichiani, 3 Iago Gudushauri, 4 Saba Giorgidze, 5 Nikolozi Kharebava, 6 Giorgi Kevanishvili, 7 Giorgi Sutrashvili, 8 Mate Beruashvili, 9 Aleksandre Gagua, 10 Nikoloz Chachanidze, 11 Bartlome Khamashuridze, 12 Goga Beridze, 13 Alexandre Mamaiashvili, 14 Luka Mushkudiani, 15 Rezi Tskhvediani. Replacements: 16 Alexander Gamkrelidze, 17 Saba Merebashvili, 18 Giorgi Berdzenishvili, 19 Nikoloz Pantsulaia, 20 Nikolozi Jangulashvili, 22 Mate Makharadze, 23 Mikheil Mgaloblishvili, 24 Data Akhvlediani, 25 Luka Tchakua.