The Junior Springboks took on Ireland at the Payanini Rugby Center after a great start in the Under-20 Six Nations Summer Series. They continued their good performance in the series with another victory when they beat Ireland 33-24.
The first half saw the Springbok using their dominant forwards with good effect in the scrums and driving mauls, as well as good tactical kicking to force Ireland into their quarter from where they scored a converted try. Ireland capitalised on penalties conceded by the Springboks to counter-attack, however, the Springboks were able to absorb the pressure and turn the ball over every time.
The lineout execution by both teams was poor spoiling attacking opportunities for either side. The Springboks started to take control of the match in the latter part of the half with good and fast running play. They forced Ireland to commit errors in their half from where the Springboks scored more tries with their dominant forwards to build a comfortable lead. The halftime score was 26-03 in favour of the Springboks.
The second half saw Ireland playing much better rugby and they stemmed the first-half onslaught by the Springboks. They increased the match tempo with fast running and chip kicking to try and beat the Springbok defence and were awarded with a converted try for their efforts. The Springboks however soon responded with a converted try of their own, however, Ireland, in turn, scored another converted try after they relentlessly attacked the Springbok try line.
They continued their high-tempo attacking play with the Springboks allowing them plenty of ball possession and momentum by not contesting the breakdowns. The resolute Springbok defence, fortunately, held up and only allowed Ireland to score a consolation converted try right at the end of the match.
06:00 The Springboks drew first blood when Tiaan Lange crashed over the try line from a driving maul. The try was converted by Sacha Mngomezulu (07-00).
19:05 A penalty was given against the Springboks in their half which was kicked by Sam Prendergast to open Ireland's scoring tally (07-03).
20:00 The Springboks used their dominant forwards with good effect in the scrums and driving mauls, as well as good tactical kicking to force Ireland into their quarter from where they scored a converted try. Ireland capitalised on penalties conceded by the Springboks to counter-attack however the Springboks were able to absorb the pressure. The lineout execution by both teams were poor spoiling attacking opportunities.
25:43 Reinhardt Ludwig scored a great try for the Springboks after very good interplay between the backs and forwards from loose play inside the Irish quarter. The conversion was missed (12-03).
31:06 Tiaan Lange scored his second try for the Springboks after crashing over the try from another powerful driving maul from a penalty lineout in 5 meters from the Ireland try line. The try was converted by Sacha Mngomezulu (19-03).
35:28 Corne Rahl scored a try for the Springboks after forcing his way over the try line from good pressure play by the Springboks in the Ireland quarter. The try was converted by Sacha Mngomezulu (26-03).
39:59 Tiaan Lange from the Springboks was given a yellow card for dangerous play.
40:00 The Springboks started to take control of the match with good and fast running play. They forced Ireland to commit errors in their half from where the Springboks scored more tries with their dominant forwards to build a comfortable lead.
48:44 Dylan O’Grady scored a try for Ireland after collecting a clever chip kick which beat the Springbok defence. The try was converted by Sam Prendergast (26-10).
56:29 Lukhanyo Vokozela crashes over the try line for another Springbok try which resulted from more strong forward play. The try was converted by Sacha Mngomezulu (33-10).
60:00 Ireland started the second half with much better play by increasing the match tempo with fast running and chip kicking to try and beat the Springbok defence. They were rewarded with a converted try for their efforts. The Springboks however soon responded with a converted try of their own.
62:01 Oisin Michel scored a try for Ireland when he forced his way over the try line after Ireland relentlessly attacked the Springbok try line. The try was converted by Sam Prendergast (33-17).
80:00 Reuben Crothers scored a consolation try for Ireland which was converted (33-24).
Scorers:
Ireland u/20: Tries: Dylan O’Grady, Reuben Crothers, Oisin Mitchel. Conversions: Sam Prendergast (3). Penalties: Sam Prendergast.
Junior Springboks: Tries: Tiaan Lange (2), Reinhardt Ludwig, Corne Rahl, Lukhanyo Vokozela. Conversions: Sacha Mngomezulu (4).
Teams:
Ireland u/20: 15. Patrick Campbell, 14. Aitzol King, 13. Fionn Gibbons, 12. Daniel Hawkshaw, 11. Dylan O’Grady, 10. Sam Prendergast, 9. Michael Moloney, 8. George Shaw, 7. Reuben Crothers (c), 7. Reuben Crothers, 6. James McNabney, 5. Diarmuid Mangan, 4. Conor O’Tighearnaigh, 4. Conor O’Tighearnaigh, 3. Darragh McSweeney, 2. James McCormick, 1. George Hadden. Replacements: 16. Josh Hanlon, 17. Oisin Michel, 18. Kieran Ryan, 19. Adam McNamee, 20. Lorcan McLoughlin, 21. Andrew O’Mahony, 22. Reece Malone, 23. George Coomber, 24. Shay McCarthy, 25. Scott Wilson, 26. Charlie Irvine.
Junior Springboks: 15 Duran Koevort, 14 Donovan Don, 13 Ethan James, 12 Carlton Banies, 11 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 10 Sacha Mngomezulu (c), 9 Nico Steyn, 8 Cameron Hanekom, 7 Louw Nel, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Corne Rahl, 3 Sivuyise Mabece, 2 Tiaan Lange, 1 Corne Lavagna. Replacements: 16 Lukhanyo Vokozela, 17 Lamla Nunu, 18 Friedrich Weilbach, 19 Connor Evans, 20 Siya Ningiza, 21 Niel le Roux, 22 Compion von Ludwig, 23 Katlego Letebele, 24 Ruan Venter, 25 Gcino Mdletshe, 26 Imad Khan.
Article by Francois du Toit