The SA U18 "A" have itself to blame for its 36-39 loss to Ireland U18 at Durbanville on Thursday Afternoon. Several questionable decisions on-field cost the SA U18 "A", especially declining two opportunities at the end of the match to convert penalties.
Ireland started the game like a house on fire, physically dominating their hosts. Following three minutes of play, Irish captain Lee Fitzpatrick scored the first try off the back of a five-meter lineout-mail.
However, the SA team attacked from the kick-off and Jeffrey Singo dotted down the ball in a "messy" scramble for the ball. Captain Jeandre Uithaler converted to extend SA's lead to 07-05 after ten minutes of play in the first half.
Irish's inside centre Bernard White crashed over the tryline, following a period in which his forwards dominated their hosts. Luke Coffey converted to retake the lead for Ireland 12-07 after fifteen minutes of play.
A yellow card to Ireland allowed the SA attack some space, which they used brilliantly, and Reinhart Viljoen (2) and Ncutu Kepe added their names to the scoresheet. Uithaler converted two to secure the SA side a 26-12 lead with minutes to go.
However, back to full strength, Ireland started to dominate again and eightman Alex Lautsou crashed over for the Irish third try after time was up. Luke Coffey converted to edge closer to SA's lead going into the halftime, trailing 26-19.
After eight minutes of play, the Irish captain Lee Fitzpatrick scored his second try of the match off the back of a lineout-maul. Bernard White converted to level the scores at 26-26.
SA's Lizwe Mthethwa crashed over after 47 minutes of play to take a 33-26 lead following Uithaler's conversion. Ireland replied immediately when Bernard White crashed over for Ireland. The conversion by Connor McVicker levelled the scores once again.
Ireland U18 converted two penalties to the one converted by SA U18 "A" during the final seven minutes of the match.
Scorers:
SA Under 18 "A": Tries: Jeffrey Singo, Lizwe Mtetwa, Reinhart Viljoen (2), Ncutu Kepe. Conversions: Jeandre Uithaler (4). Penalty: Jeandre Uithaler.
Ireland U18: Tries: Lee Fitzpatrick, Alex Lautsou. Bernard White. Conversions: Luke Coffey (2), Connor McVicker (2). Penalties: Connor McVicker (2)
Teams:
SA Under 18 "A": 15 Reinhart Viljoen, 14 Jeneall Davids, 13 Nathan Aneke, 12 Lizwe Mthethwa, 11 Ncutu Kepe, 10 Jeandre Uithaler (c), 9 Zirk Meyer, 8 Quintin Potgieter, 7 Liam Lightly, 6 Andile Ndlovu, 5 Migael Turner, 4 Diaan Augustyn, 3 Bernhard du Toit, 2 Keenan Myners, 1 Jeffrey Singo. Replacements: 16 Thomas Muller, 17 Pieta Cilliers, 18 Deon Botes, 19 Juvan Burden, 20 Briint Davids, 21 Mickyle Booise, 22 Ethan van Biljon, 23 Sbabalwe Magwebu, 24 Junaide Passensie, 25 Erin Nelson, 26 Lian Terblanche.
Ireland U18: 15. Andrew Henson, 14. Harry Waters, 13. Tom Bell, 12. Bernard White, 11. James Browne, 10. Paul Neary, 9. Luke Coffey, 8. Alex Lautsou, 7. Jon Rodgers, 6. Geoff Wall, 5. Jamie Walsh, 4. Jonathon Ginnety, 3. Jamie Bohan, 2. Lee Fitzpatrick, 1. Ben Guerin. Replacements: 16. Joe Christle, 17. James Gould, 18. Harry Goslin, 20. Frank Maher, 21. Adam Boyd, 22. Connor McVicker, 23. Charlie O’Connor, 24. Fionn Rowsome, 25. Geoff O’Sullivan, 26. Daniel O’Connell.