The Junior Springboks made a brilliant start to the 2024 U20 Rugby Champions when they completely outplayed Fiji with an eight-try 57-07 win.
Following an initial physical onslaught by Fiji which the Junior Boks absorbed like professionals, they used their burly forwards to attack with intent. A great bullocking run by Bathobele Hlekanset set up the first try by Juriees Jurenzo who crossed Fii's tryline from a five-meter quick tap.
This set the Junior Boks alight and a brilliant individual try by Michail Damon to open up a 14-00 lead after ten minutes of pay in the first half.
The following twenty minutes the Junior Springboks dominated, however, they could not convert their dominance into points. A brilliant effort by Jurenzo Julius on the attack opened space for winger Joel Leotlela to score in the corner which extended the Junior Boks lead to 24-00 with seven minutes to play.
Jurenzo Julius scored the Junior Springboks' fourth try with time almost up on the clock in the first half to lead 31-00 at the halftime break.
Luca Bakkes bulldozed his way over the tryline after just two minutes of play in the second half before Fiji scored their only try of the match. Thereafter the Junior Springboks added three additional tries to secure an impressive 57-07 win.
Scorers:
Junior Sprinboks: Tries: Luca Bakkes, Sibabalwe Mahashe, Asad Moos, Jurenzo Julius (2), Joel Leotlela, Michail Damon, Likhona Finca. Conversions: Tylor Sefoor (2), Liam Koen (5). Penalty: Liam Koen.
Fiji: Try: Anare Caginavanua. Conversion: Bogidrau Kikau.
Teams:
Junior Springboks: 1 Ruan Swart, 2 Luca Bakkes, 3 Zachary Porthen, 4 Bathobele Hlekani, 5 J F Van Heerden, 6 Sibabalwe Mahashe, 7 Thabang Mphafi, 8 Tiaan Jacobs, 9 Asad Moos, 10 Liam Koen, 11 Lilith Bester, 12 Josh Boulle, 13 Jurenzo Julius, 14 Joel Leotlela, 15 Michail Damon. Replacements: 16 Juan Smal, 17 Liyema Ntshanga, 18 Casper Hendrik Badenhorst, 19 Keanu Coetsee, 20 Divan Fuller, 21 Ezekiel Ngobeni, 22 Tylor Sefoor, 23 Likhona Finca.
Fiji: 1 Anare Caginavanua, 2 Moses Armstrong-ravula, 3 Breyton Legge, 4 Iliesa Erenavula, 5 Nalani May, 6 Ebernezer Tuidraki, 7 Ronald Sharma, 8 Simon Koroiyadi, 9 Aisea Nawai, 10 Bogidrau Kikau, 11 Avakuki Niusalelekitoga, 12 Ratu Isikeli Rabitu, 13 Sivaniolo Kalaveti, 14 Waisake Salabiau, 15 Isikeli Basiyalo. Replacements: 16 Joshua Uluibau, 17 Mataiasi Tuisireli, 18 Luke Nasau, 19 Malakai Masi, 20 Ratu Nemani Kurucake, 21 Pauliasi Korobiau, 22 Ponipate Tuberi.