The Junior Springboks laid down a marker for their 2026 season with a 35-0 triumph over Georgia Under-20 in Tbilisi on Sunday, with the win underpinned by a dominant set-piece display and courageous defensive resolve.
In a match defined by abrasive physicality from both sides, the South African forwards proved too much for the Junior Lelos to handle. This was especially evident in the opening half, while gritty defence kept the threatening hosts scoreless in their own backyard in the second half, despite their determined efforts after the break.
SA U20 assistant coach Lumumba Currie praised the maturity of his young pack of forwards, noting that the victory was built on the back of a good scrumming performance and a brave defensive effort that refused to buckle under pressure.
With Georgia changing tactics after the break, which saw the second half turn into a huge arm wrestle, Currie believes the experience gained by his younger charges – several of them making the big leap from schoolboy rugby to the international stage – would be invaluable for the road ahead.
“The pack performed very well, especially with our counter-mauls,” said Currie, who is in his fourth season with the SA U20S.
“A big part of our game is the set piece, and credit to Georgia, it was thoroughly tested. I was also very pleased with our ability to stop their dangerous mauls, and our set-piece set up some good tries for us.”
Tight five stalwarts Oliver Reid (prop) and Siphosethu Mnebelele (hooker) sat out the encounter as injury precaution, depriving the Junior Boks of vital experience up front.
Currie added: “I was very impressed with how composed we remained during the clash, both with and without the ball and especially in the first half. It wasn’t just a one-way performance because the Georgians came hard at us. Defensively, the boys fought for each other.
“Overall, we showed great unity and bravery, qualities that were evident in our maul defence and the way we scrambled whenever they came close to our line. To shut them out showed the character of this group.”
In a bid to give all squad members time to gain international experience, the coaches brought on a different fifteen after the break, with Currie saying the second half turned into “a bit of an arm wrestle”.
“It became quite stop-start, which seemed to be a tactic to counter our high tempo and slow our momentum,” he said. “We conceded penalties and lost our fluidity – something we’ll look at to rectify for Friday’s rematch.”
Meanwhile, Currie reckons the hard-hitting grind against the gritty hosts will be invaluable for this group's journey together.
“Numerous players represented our SA U18S last year, and it was pleasing to see them stand their ground,” said Currie.
“It is a big step up from schoolboy rugby to the international U20 level, and this tour is exactly what these players need to get to grips with the requirements at this level.”
Looking ahead to Friday’s final tour fixture, Currie said: “While we are pleased with the result, there is always room for improvement in the set piece. We need to work on retaining possession better and can't afford to lose balls in contact or concede unnecessary turnovers.
“So, we must look after our ball better and be more clinical on attack if we want to keep putting teams under pressure.”