Photo Credit - Speedshots.co.za
The Junior Springboks played against a game Uruguay team in the second match of the 2021 International Series. The Junior Springboks made several replacements at halftime which resulted in a much better second half to win 29-10.
In the opening match of the Under-20 International Series, Los Pumitas laid down a strong marker with an 82-10 demolition of the Georgian U20s. The Argentineans scored three unanswered tries in the first half for a 21-3 lead, but simply outplayed Georgia after the break, adding nine tries and 61 points at more than a point per minute. The next round of action on Wednesday sees South Africa take on Argentina, and Uruguay will face Georgia.
The Junior Springboks have a lot of homework to do before their match against Argentina next Wednesday. The front row will need to put in much needed time against the scrum machine while only one or two players reserved their selection as first-choice players.
00:55 A great break by Quan Horn put Canan Moodie in for the first try of the match, (07-00).
09:00 Uruguay almost hit back immediately after some horrible defence from the Junior Springboks. Constant pressure resulted in a converted penalty for the visitors, (07-03).
20:00 The first 20 minutes "belonged" to the visitors with their final passes costing them several scoring opportunities. The Junior Springboks "obsession" with physicality not resulting in anything much at this stage.
40:00 The first half of the game a stop-start event, with both teams making a lot of unforced errors. Maybe a case of early-season jitters or just maybe a lack of .......................?
Several replacements were made at halftime with captain George Cronje and the complete frontrow the most significant.
44:01 Bobby Alexander scored the Junior Springboks second try after Ethan James did most of the work to put Alexander in for an easy try, (12-3).
47:25 After some hard running from Andre-Hugo Venter and Jan-Hendrik Wessels Canan Moodie scored the Junior Springboks third try, (17-03).
55:05 Andre-Hugo Venter scored off the back from a lineout maul, (22-03).
60:00 The Junior Springboks scored three unanswered tries during the third quarter. They are looking a lot better but their discipline is unfortunately still a problem.
64:07 A yellow card against Uruguay after cynical play.
66:27 Curwin Gertse stepping his way over the score-line, (29-03).
71-14 A second yellow card for cynical play left Uruguay with only thirteen players on the field.
75:37 Gabriel Evans forced his way over the Springboks score-line after Uruguay camped in the Junior Springboks red zone with the help of several penalties conceded by the Junior Springboks, (29-10).
The Junior Springboks deserving the win but unfortunately nothing more.
Scorers:
Junior Springboks: Tries: Canan Moodie (2), Bobby Alexander, Andre-Hugo Venter, Curwin Gertse. Conversion: Brandon Wilkie, Kian Meadon.
Uruguay: Try: Gabriel Evans. Conversion: Tomas Dameule. Penaltiy: Tomas Dameule.
Junior Springboks: 15. Quan Horn, 14. Canan Moodie, 13. Ethan James, 12. Tyler Bocks, 11. Curwin Gertse, 10. Brandon Wilkie, 9. Bobby Alexander, 8. Izan Esterhuizen, 7. Reinhardt Ludwig, 6. Siyemukela Ndlovu, 5. Dylan de Leeuw, 4. Raynard Roets, 3. Blaine Golden, 2. Jacques Goosen, 1. Nolan Pienaar. Replacements (from): 16. Andre-Hugo Venter, 17. Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18. Corné Weilbach– (nominated front row), 19. Simon Miller, 20. Rynard Mouton, 21. Siyambuka Ningiza, 22. George Cronje, 23. Bradley Davids, 24. Kian Meadon, 25. Mnqobi Mkhize, 27. Dalvon Blood.
Uruguay: 15. Dameule, 14. Basso, 13. Paullier, 12. Alonso, 11. Facciolo, 10. Gomez Platero, 9. S Alvarez, 8. Deus (C), 7. Bianchi, 6. David, 5. Etcheverry, 4. Pirone, 3. Bertini, 2. Gutierrez, 1. Rua. Replacements: 16. Myszka, 17. Evans, 18. Zerbini, 19. Dono, 20. Sere, 21. Algorta, 22. Tafernaberry, 23. Garese.