The SA U18 team kicked off the U18 International Series with a brilliant performance as they beat France by 43-21 (half-time 31-0), claiming the Medhi Narjissi Trophy in front of a packed stadium at Durbanville High School in Cape Town's Northern Suburbs on a sunny Friday afternoon.
The trophy was named in remembrance of Medhi Narjissi, a member of France's U18 squad in 2024, who was tragically swept out to sea during a recovery session at Cape Point last year, as SA Rugby and the participating teams paid tribute to the French player.
The South African pack laid a brilliant platform with their strong scrum, which gave the backs space to launch wave after wave of direct attacks, tiring out the French defence.
But it wasn't one-way traffic - after conceding an early maul try to Chinedu Amadi (flanker), the visitors hit back and set up camp in the South African half, only to be kept out by great defence from the men in green and gold.
Even when Kai Pratt (prop) was sin-binned, the hosts managed to keep France at bay and when they finally made it back into the visitors' half of the field, they struck immediately when Gert Kemp (No 8) crashed over to make it 14-0 after 25 minutes.
Amadi added his second try five minutes later, again from a lineout drive, and when Liyema Nela added a penalty goal to his first three conversions, it was 24-0 with four minutes left in the half.
That soon changed to 31-0 when SA U18 captain and centre Markus Muller crashed over, with Nela again on target with his fifth consecutive shot at goal, giving the hosts a big 31-0 lead at the break.
Jadriaan Afrikaneron the attack.
Jadriaan Afrikaneron the attack.
France came out of the changerooms recharged and three minutes into the half, Auguste Albuisson (No 8) scored a classic try off the back of an attacking scrum for their first points.
But the SA Bomb Squad that came on seven minutes later immediately delivered when Jacobus de Villiers was driven over from an attacking lineout that came from yet another scrum penalty against the visitors.
The French hit back with a good try by Christian Mendes Tani (lock) from a quick tap penalty, but the SA U18s added their sixth try when Junaide Stuart went over after they showed some patience on attack in the visitors' 22.
With time running out, Mendes Tani scored his second try late in the game to make it 43-21, which gave the French some respite in a game in which they were put under immense pressure for most of the 70 minutes.
In the first game of the day, Ireland edged the SA U18 'A' team by 36-33 after a penalty goal with a minute left on the clock, while a fired-up Georgia beat England by 35-31 in the second game.
Scorers:
SA U18: Tries: Chinedu Amadi (2), Gert Kemp, Markus Muller, Jacobus de Villiers, Junaide Stuart. Conversions: Liyema Nela (4), Ruben Groenewald. Penalty: Liyema Nela.
France: Tries: Auguste Albuisson, Christian Mendes Tani (2). Conversions: Timeo Gillouin-Lemaire, Valentin Bouju (2).
Teams:
SA U18: 1 Kai Pratt, 2 Altus Rabe, 3 JG Badenhorst, 4 Lwandile Mlaba, 5 AJ Meyer, 6 Chinedu Amadi, 7 Josh Neill, 8 Gert Kemp, 9 Morne Noble, 10 Liyema Nela, 11 Jadrian Afrikaner, 12 Ethan Adams, 13 Markus Muller, 14 Thabiso Simelane, 15 Zekhethelo Siyaya. Replacements: 16 Clinton Agu, 17 Jordan Jooste, 18 Matthew Van Der Merwe, 19 Jayden Joubert, 20 Wasi Vyambwera, 21 Jacobus De Villiers, 22 Jayden Brits, 23 Ruben Groenewald, 24 Christian Vorster, 25 Junaide Stuart, 26 Lamla Mgedezi.
France U18: 1 Petit Jean Iposo Ohoto, 2 Jules Freynet, 3 Wesley Masima, 5 Christian Mendes Tani, 6 Martin Deschalliers, 7 Matthieu Palmier, 8 Mahno Dealle Facquez, 9 Auguste Albuisson, 10 Sandro Dubois Martin, 11 Yanis Brosset, 12 Louis Favrau, 13 Gaetan Ngassa Manach, 14 Malobe Mbaye, 15 Andoni Echegaray. Replacements: 16 Giovanny Tafili, 17 Prince Emmanuel Tambo Fantcho, 18 Nolhan Watat, 19 Gaston Lagneau, 20 Lilian Baret, 21 Cleo Bard, 22 Valentin Bouju, 23 Jules Said, 24 Guillaume Didey, 25 Tom Frelaut, 26 Lorenzo Laouna.
Recent Posts
- DHL Stormers Cruise To Win Over Zebre Parma
- Ulster Secure Great Win Over Stuttering Hollywoodbets Sharks
- Lions Beat Scarlets In Scrappy Match In Johannesburg
- Unbeaten DHL Stormers Will Be Confident To Beat Host Zebre Parma
- Lions Assistant Coach Looking Forward To Tough Challenge Against The Scarlets
- Hollywoodbets Sharks Are Out Of Excuses And Need Big Win Over Ulster
- “We Need A Squad That We Can Win The United Rugby Championship Without Our Springboks” – John Plumtree
- Lions And Scarlets In Fight For The United Rugby Championship Wooden Spoon
- Vodacom Bulls Held On For One Pointer Over Connacht
- Black Lions Edge Toyota Cheetahs In Bloemfontein
- Lions Made Two Changes To Starting Lineup To Host Scarlets
- DHL Stormers Made Four Changes To Starting Lineup To Face Zebre Parma
- Grand Final Spots At Stake In Pick n Pay Gold Cup
- Vodacom Bulls Should Return To Winning Ways In Galway, However ……
- A “Young Group” An Excuse Often Used By The Lions Does Not Hold Water Anymore