The Junior Springboks bounced back from 25–15 down to dominate most of the second half and win 36–25.
Oliver Reid of South Africa during the Rugby Championship U20 match between Junior Springboks and Argentina. Picture: Richard Huggard/Gallo Images
A second-half fightback allowed the Junior Springboks to beat Argentina 36–25 at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha, taking the lead after the first day of the Rugby Championship U20.
The Junior Springboks made plenty of mistakes in the first half and showed little defensive structure to find themselves 25–15 down shortly after the break.
They never improved in their lineouts – losing plenty of their put-ins to Argentina – but they gained momentum to control possession and territory, breaking the Argentina line repeatedly to score three of their five tries in the final 35 minutes.
Credit must go to Argentina, who showed real flair and capitalised on any mistake offered by the home side in the first half. They scored three tries and slotted four kicks away from home.
However, they were merely spectators once the Junior Springboks found their feet.
Before the end of the first quarter, converted tries and penalty kicks from either side cancelled each other out, so that the score was 10–10.
After that, SA centre Demitre Erasmus put the home side ahead through an overlap try. However, Argentina’s Bautista Lescano made up for his disallowed try (knock-on) just minutes later with a great line break and converted try, so that Argentina led 20–15 at half-time.
The visitors extended their lead right after the break with captain Felipa Ledesma crashing over on the sideline.
However, the Junior Springboks scored three unanswered tries in the next 20 minutes.
Haashim Pead scored his second try after an excellent line break and offload from winger Cheswill Jooste, while SA captain Riley Norton and Gino Cupido also scored to take the score to 36–25 with 16 minutes left.
Argentina regained momentum right before the end, winning two penalties 10m from the South African try line. However, every attack was blunted by the solid South African defence.
The result came after Australia managed a 29-all draw against New Zealand earlier in the day, thanks to an 83rd-minute (extra time) try, in the opening game of the tournament.
South Africa: Tries – Haashim Pead (2), Demitre Erasmus, Riley Norton, Gino Cupido. Conversions – Kyle Smith 3/4. Penalties – Smith 1/1.
Argentina: Tries – Pascal Senillosa, Bautista Lescano, Felipa Ledesma. Conversions – Rafael Benedit 2/3. Penalties – Benedit 2/2.
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