Junior Boks shocked by Australia in U20 Rugby Championship

Australia scored four second half tries to turn around a 17-0 deficit to win 29-24 against the Junior Springboks in their U20 Rugby Championship match in Gqeberha on Tuesday afternoon.

It was a well-deserved win by the Australians who dominated much of the contest, but couldn’t convert their chances in the first half. In the second half they completely got the better of their hosts and could well have scored more than the four tries they did.

Good first half by Junior Boks

South Africa though got off to a great start, with plenty of possession coming their way and they were rewarded in the third minute when flanker Xola Nyali went over from a lineout win and driving maul.

But, Australia dominated much of the rest of the play in the first half, winning plenty of ball and penalties at the breakdowns and asking much of the South Africans’ defence. The home team also struggled in the lineouts.

The only department where Riley Norton’s team dominated was the scrums.

But, against the run of play, the Junior Boks scored a second try in the 28th minute by wing Siya Ndlozi, who picked up a loose ball in the Australian backline and ran in from 50m out.

Things got worse for the men from Down Under as they lost prop Trevor King to the sin-bin and then on the stroke of half-time Nyali went in for his second try, only for it to be chalked off after an intervention by the TMO. Relief for the Aussies.

Aussies fight back

South Africa though went 17-0 up soon after half-time with a penalty kick and looked to be well in charge of the clash, but in a matter of 16 minutes, Australia scored three converted tries to rock the Junior Boks.

First lock Eamon Doyle went in from a lineout drive, then prop Edwin Langi went over from close range, before prop Lipina Ata scored after some excellent play by his team-mates. Australia had gone from 17-0 down to lead 21-17 … and a few minutes later centre Xavier Rubens went in for his team’s fourth try in the second half to see his team into a 26-17 lead.

A penalty for the Aussies with five minutes to play put them 29-17 up, but the Baby Boks hit back with two minutes to play with a converted try by flanker Batho Hlekani to close to within five points, but the game ended soon after the restart for a good win by the Aussies.

Earlier on Tuesday, New Zealand’s U20s beat Argentina 75-21.

In the first round of matches last Thursday, New Zealand and Australia drew 29-29, while South Africa beat Argentina 36-25.

In the final round of matches on Argentina will take on Australia and South Africa will face New Zealand.