The Junior Springboks kicked off their World Rugby Junior World Championship title defence against Uruguay U20 with a 16-try 104-07 win.
The Junior Boks started the match showing intent, using their speed of play and physicality to dominate, scoring their first try after six minutes of play in the first half. Ethan Adams took a quick tap 10 meters from Uruguay’s tryline, and eventually it was spread wide for Markus Muller to crash over. Alzeadon Felix converted, extending the Junior Boks’ lead to 07-00.
Five minutes later, Jordan Steenkamp combined with Luan Giliomee to score a long-distance try, which Alzeadon Feli converted to extend the Junior Boks' lead to 14-00.
After 16 minutes of play, the Junior Boks were awarded a penalty try for collapsing a maul on their tryline.
7 minutes later, the Junior Boks attacked off a 5-meter lineout, and Risima Khosa scored the Junior Boks' fourth and bonus-point try to extend their lead to 26-00.
Thereafter, Ethan Adams added his name to the scoring sheet before Uruguay set up camp in the Junior Springboks red Zone for an extended period, on the back of several penalties conceded by the Junior Boks on the defence. However, the Junior Boks turned over the ball, and Jordan Steenkamp scored a long-distance try, showing brilliant stepping and pace.
From the kick-off, the Junior Boks attacked again and eventually Khuthadzo Rasivhaga scored in the corner to extend their lead to 43-00, following the conversion by Luan Giliomee.
With time up on the clock, Khuthadzo Rasivhaga beat several defenders down the touchline to score the Junior Boks’ eighth try.
The Junior Boks will face Georgia on Thursday, 02 July at 18:30 at the Avchala Rugby Stadium in Tbilisi, Georgia. Luan Giliomee converted from the corner to extend the Junior Boks' lead to 50-00 at the halftime break.
Within two minutes of the start of the second half, Cheswill Jooste scored following a 15-man attack from the kick-off. Luan Giliomee converted.
Thereafter, Jayden Brits (2), Siphosetho Mnebelele, Risima Khosa (2), Jordan Steenkamp, and Gert Kemp added their names to the scoresheet with brilliant tries, before Uruguay scored a consolation try by Sebastián Dalmao Rivero to cut the Junior Boks’ lead to a brilliant 104-07, which was the final score.
Scorers:
Junior Springboks:Tries: Markus Muller, Jordan Steenkamp (3), Penalty try, Risima Khosa (3), Ethan Adams, Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (2), Cheswill Jooste, Jayden Brits, Siphosetho Mnebelele, Gert Kemp. Conversions: Alzeadon Felix (2), Luan Giliomee (3), Akahluwa Boqwana (6).
Uruguay U20: Try: Sebastián Dalmao Rivero. Conversion: Juan Francisco Pereira.
Teams:
Junior Springboks: 15 Luan Giliomee, 14 Khuthadzo Rasivhaga, 13 Markus Muller, 12 Ethan Adams, 11 Jordan Steenkamp, 10 Alzeadon Felix, 9 Hendré Schoeman, 8 Vuyo Gwiji, 7 Gert Kemp, 6 Risima Khosa, 5 JD Hattingh, 4 Jaythen Orange, 3 Luan van der Berg, 2 Liam van Wyk, 1 Rambo Kubheka (c). Replacements: 16 Siphosetho Mnebelele, 17 Jordan Jooste, 18 Danie Kruger, 19 Thomas Beling, 20 Wasi Vyambwera, 21 Jayden Brits, 22 Akahluwa Boqwana, 23 Cheswill Jooste.
Uruguay U20: 15 Nicolás Pittaluga, 14 Bruno Baccino, 13 Mateo Acosta, 12 Vicente Álvarez, 11 Bruno Primavesi, 10 Justo Ferrario, 9 Mateo Ibarburu, 8 Manuel Ponte, 7 Alex Sonneveld, 6 Pedro Suárez, 5 Piero Veglio, 4 Nicolás Mattsson, 3 Juan Francisco Bessio, 2 Sebastián Pérez, 1 Germán González. Replacements: 16 José Candia Sciarra, 17 Darío Rodríguez, 18 Sebastián Dalmao Rivero, 19 Guillermo Curuchet, 20 Ignacio Merli, 21 Pierre Cotarmanac’h, 22 Juan Francisco Pereira, 23 Joaquín Fresnedo.