The Junior Springboks finished the U20 International Series in style with an impressive victory against Georgia U20 in Stellenbosch on Saturday.
The U20 world champions won 57-14 at Paul Roos Gymnasium’s Markötter Stadium after leading 38-7 at the break.
The Georgians beat both Fiji and Chile earlier in the tournament, but they struggled against the forward power and backline finesse of the SA U20s.
With their pack yet again laying a strong foundation, especially in the scrums, the Junior Boks backs had the opportunity to express themselves, which they did, while the Georgians’ discipline let them down and allowed the hosts to dominate territory and possession.
If it wasn’t for a few unforced errors due to over-eagerness, the half-time score could have been bigger, but the six first-half tries were good reward for the Junior Boks’ enterprising play.
Yaqeen Ahmed, who started at 12, opened the scoring with typical slick footwork from an attacking lineout and although Georgia levelled the scores six minutes later with a converted maul try, that was the last shot they fired.
Flank Kebotile Maake scored twice from well-worked attacking lineout moves close to the Georgian tryline.
Fullback Luan Giliomee also bagged a first-half brace, while flyhalf Vusi Moyo, who converted four of the tries, helped himself to a five-pointer from another great play by the backs.
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Georgia started the second half much better, with Luka Tabatadze crossing for a converted try after a period of sustained pressure.
Four minutes later, Ahmed got his second when the Junior Boks went blind after another strong lineout maul.
Replacement loose forward Gert Kemp, playing on the field of his former high school, scored a superb try from a turnover deep in the South African half before winger Jack Benade, who was denied by a TMO call in the first half, grabbed his chance out on the right-hand side after another slick attack.
JUNIOR SPRINGBOKS – Tries: Yaqeen Ahmed (2), Kebotile Maake (2), Luan Giliomee (2), Vusi Moyo, Gert Kemp, Jack Benade. Conversions: Moyo (4), Ahmed (2).
GEORGIA U20 – Tries: Levani Ezieshvili, Luka Tabatadze. Conversions: Mate Makharadze, Nikolozi Khalvashi.
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
The post Slick Junior Boks outclass Georgia appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Junior Springboks finished the U20 International Series in style with an impressive victory against Georgia U20 in Stellenbosch on Saturday.
The post Slick Junior Boks outclass Georgia appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
