France u/18 regrouped following their massive 00-41 defeat against England u/18 in round one of the u/18 International Series to completely outplay an ill-disciplined South Africa u/18 to secure a well deserved 37-24 win.
France u/18 started like a house on fire and took an early 09-00 lead after converting three penalties after sixteen minutes of play. France u/18 failed to score on several occasions not being able to catch the final pass or making the final pass.
South Africa started to claw their way back into the match and started to dominate for most of the final ten minutes of the first half. However, a brilliant final five minutes by France u/18 led to two converted tries that extended the visitors' lead to 23-00, which was a true reflection of the on-field action.
South Africa u/18 made several changes and started like a house on fire and scored a great try after just two minutes of play. However, France u/18 hit back almost immediately, with a brilliant try helped on by the horrible defence of the hosts.
Brilliant work from a quick tap by Haashim Pead sent Janco Purchase on his way to score in the corner, however, France u18 scored shortly thereafter from the back of a 5m lineout-maul to extend their lead to 37-14 and twenty minutes to play in the second half.
Hashim Pead scored his second try following a brilliant snipe next to the scrum, followed by a fourth try by Luyanda Kunene in the corner minutes later, unfortunately, despite a better performance in the second half South Africa u/18 deservedly lost 24-37.
Scorers:
South Africa u/18: Tries: Haashim Pead (2), Janco Purchase, Luyanda Kunene. Conversions: Dominic Malgas (2).
France u/18: Tries: Temanatua Boichot, Charly Mignot, Eliott Duthil, Gabin Garault. Conversions: Diego Jurd (3), Luka Keletaona. Penalties: Diego Jurd (3)
Teams
South Africa u/18: 15 Luyanda Kunene, 14 Scott Nel, 13 Jameel de Jongh, 12 Dominic Malgas, 11 Cheswill Jooste, 10 Ian van der Merwe, 9 Christiaan van der Westhuizen, 8 Batho Hlekani, 7 Thando Biyela, 6 Xola Nyali (c), 5 Ulrich van der Westhuizen, 4 Jacobus Grobbelaar, 3 Simphiwe Ngobese, 2 Imaani Pemba, 1 Ranon Fouche. Replacements: 16 Siphosethu Mnebelele, 17 Lithemba Mfupi, 18 Jean Erasmus, 19 Riley Norton, 20 JJ Theron, 21 Haashim Pead, 22 Janco Purchase, 23 JC Mars, 24 Marno Stopforth, 25 Phiwayinkosi Kubeka, 26 Gino Cupido.
France u/18: 15 Melvyn Rates, 14 Tom Leveque, 13 Adrien Drault, 12 Quentin Valentino, 11 Charly Mignot, 10 Diego Jurd, 9 Temanatua Boichot, 8 Ellyjah Ibsaiene (c), 7 Dany Kevin Lamataki, 6 Marceau Marzullo , 5 Romeo Martin Bonnard, 4, Noe Theraube, 3 Thomas Marceline, 2 Gabin Garault, 1 Liam Courturier. Replacements: 16 Samuel Jean Christophe, 17 Quentin Algay, 18 Eduard-Junior Jabea Njocke, 19 Eliott Duthil, 20 Antoine Deliance, 21 Nathan Llaveria, 22 Luka Keletaona, 23 Pierre Ourtraud Cren, Bastien Rasal, 25 Thomas Alary, 26 Pargade Ruben-Diego.