Photo Credit - Speedshots.co.za
A proper rugby test awaits the Junior Springboks in the second round of the U20 International Series today when South Africa will face Argentina at Markötter Stadium in Stellenbosch, with both sides looking to keep their winning ways.
The South Africans outplayed Uruguay 29-10 in their opening match at the same venue on Friday, but Los Pumitas’ 82-10 dismantling of the Georgia side set the bar for the tournament. Georgia and Uruguay will meet in the first match of the day. Both matches will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
Junior Bok wing Canan Moodie, who scored twice on Friday, has no issues with Argentina being seen as favourites for this clash, which is expected to be played in wet conditions.
“They really played well against Georgia and showed they are not here for fun,” said Moodie.
“Ourselves, on the other hand, did start very slowly and then picked it up in the second half. Based on the two performances, they must be the favourites and us the underdogs.”
The lanky winger, who stands 1.91m tall, said the Junior Boks have a plan against Los Pumitas.
“It is going to be wet, so it will be important for our forwards to lay a solid foundation. Once they do that, our plans will fall in place, I believe,” he said.
Moodie, who was schooled at Boland Landbou before his move to Pretoria where the joined the Vodacom Bulls, had a very productive debut on Friday. He was one of his team's leading defender, with 10 tackles, and two of his five ball carries finished behind the Uruguay tryline.
“My job is to score tries and I was lucky that I could contribute in that way, the ball came to me and I could do my job,” he said.
“It was massive honour for me to play for my country, so I wanted to do my very best and it worked out nicely for me.”
Moodie hopes to continue aiding the team effort, whether it be on attack, defence or in general play: “It is all about your contribution to the team and making sure you assist the guy next to you.”
U20 International Series second round fixtures:
Uruguay v Georgia
Kick-off: 13h00
Referee: Divan Uys
South Africa v Argentina
Kick-off: 15h00
Referee: Griffin Colby