The Junior Springboks hosted the Los Pumitas (u/20 Argentina) in Stellenboch in wet and rainy conditions. The defensive effort from the Junior Springboks saved the day for them securing a 33-26 win.
In Wednesday’s opener, Uruguay did well to weather the storm brought on by the powerful Georgian pack to win the first match on a cold and wet day in Stellenbosch by 20-15, with the winning side scoring three tries to two. The Georgians ended the match almost in total control upfront and dominated possession and territory, but they just could not find that extra gear that was needed to secure the win.
The junior Springsboks secured first place on the Series' log with this great win with only a match against Georgia on Monday to come.
As expected both teams made use of several up and under's in the rainy conditions. The scrums were apart from the first scrum dominated by Argentina.
06:55 Jordan Hendrikse open the Junior Springboks account with a converted penalty, (03-00).
09:33 Brilliant line ran by Henco van Wyk saw him score the Junior Springboks first try of the match, (10-00).
12:54 Ramiro Waisberg converted a penalty for the Los Pumitas, (10-03).
15:58 Ramiro Waisberg converted his second penalty for the Los Pumitas after the Junior Springboks was destroyed, (10-06).
20:00 A very even match with South Africa looking the better with the ball in hand while Argentina is in charge come scrum-time. Jaden Hendrikse a brilliant general at 10 dictates the play with great effect.
21:54 Canan Moodie scored the Junior Springboks second try after the brilliant ball in hand play by the Junior Springbok. This try started in South Africa's half, (17-06).
24:45 Bautista Bernasconi scored Argentina's first try after a 5m line-out maul, as South Africa did not commit to the maul, (17-13).
40:00 End to end action as both sides play to their strengths, however, one can not help to think that unless Argentina's forwards runs out of steam the Junior Springboks will struggle in the second half.
45:11 Junior Springboks decided to go for poles after declining several opportunities in this match. Jordan Hendrikse made no mistake, (20-13).
50:35 Jordan Hendrikse convert yet another, (23-13).
55:21 Ramiro Waisberg converts his third penalty, (23-16).
60:16 Jordan Hendrikse on target with yet another converted penalty, (26-16).
60:00 After sixty minutes of play the match is opening up, much to the advantage and delight of the Junior Springboks and their eager backline.
63:42 another brilliant try by Canan Moodie who had a lot to do to score his fourth try of this u/20 Series, (33-16).
65:04 Martin Vaca the immediate reply by Los Pomitas as they used the forward's power allowing Varca to power his way over the tryline of the Junior Springboks, (33-23).
72:55 Ramiro Waisberg narrow the gap to just seven points with seven minutes to go, with another converted penalty, (33-26).
Scorers:
Junior Springboks: Tries: Henco van Wyk, Canan Moodie (2). Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (3). Penalties: Jordan Hendrikse (4).
Los Pumitas: Tries: Bautista Bernasconi Martin Vaca. Conversion: Ramiro Waisberg (2). Penalties: Ramiro Waisberg (4).
Junior Springboks: 15. Quan Horn, 14. Canan Moodie, 13. Henco van Wyk, 12. Tyler Bocks, 11. Ethan James, 10. Jordan Hendrikse, 9. Bradley Davids, 8. George Cronje (captain), 7. Siya Ningiza, 6. Sasko Ndlovu, 5. Reinhardt Ludwig, 4. Simon Miller, 3. Corne Weilbach, 2. Andre-Hugo Venter, 1. Jan-Hendrik Wessels. Replacements: 16. Jacques Goosen, 17. Nolan Pienaar, 18. Sibusiso Shongwe (nominated front row), 19. Raynard Roets, 20. Rynard Mouton, 21. Nico Steyn, 22. Sacha Mngomezulu, 23. Mnqobi Mkhize, 24. Dylan de Leeuw, 25. Izan Esterhuizen, 26. Kian Meadon, 27. Dalvon Blood.
u/20 Argentina: 15. Vera Feld, 14. Pisani, 13. Piccardo, 12. Graziano, 11. Diez, 10. Ramiro Waisberg, 9. Albanese, 8. Oviedo, 7. Gomez Vara, 6. Grenon, 5. Anconetani, 4. Rubiolo, 3. Coronel, 2. Bautista Bernasconi, 1. Toth. Replacement: 16. Vaca, 17. Nunez, 18. Villar, 19. Duggan, 20. Bildosola, 21. Villalba, 22. Fuentes, 23. Sanchez Runio.