The Junior Springboks made a massive statement at the start of their Junior World Championship title defence, thrashing Uruguay in Tbilisi.
South Africa ran in 16 tries in a 104-7 win over the newly-promoted Uruguayans, having led 50-0 lead at half-time.
It was one-way traffic from the opening whistle as the Junior Boks asserted their dominance through superior physicality and pace.
Despite playing into a strong breeze, South Africa opened the scoring after just seven minutes when Stormers centre Markus Muller sliced through the defence for the first try. Flyhalf Alzeadon Felix added the conversion.
Four minutes later, winger Jordan Steenkamp grabbed the first of his two first-half tries after the Junior Boks launched a counter-attack from deep inside their own half.
Uruguay battled to contain the relentless South African attack. The pressure eventually told when the referee awarded a penalty try after the South Americans collapsed a driving maul close to their line. Hooker Sebastian Perez was yellow-carded for the infringement.
The Junior Boks made their numerical advantage count. Loose forward Rasima Khosa and centre Ethan Adams both crossed before the wingers struck again, with Steenkamp racing away for his second and Khuthadzo Rasivhaga showing impressive footwork to score.
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South Africa picked up where they left off after the break, taking less than two minutes to add another score. Vodacom Bulls speedster Cheswill Jooste finished in the corner and fullback Luan Giliomee, who had taken over the kicking duties from Felix, saw his conversion attempt strike the upright before bouncing over.
Junior Boks coach Kevin Foote then emptied his bench, and it was replacement hooker and tournament captain Siphosethu Mnebelele who claimed their 10th try after gratefully accepting an unselfish pass from Jooste inside the in-goal area. Replacement flyhalf Akahluwa Boqwana added the conversion.
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Khosa and Steenkamp each claimed a hat-trick and replacement scrumhalf Jayden Brits a brace of tries, while flanker Gert Kemp also got his name on the scoresheet.
The Junior Boks next play Wales on Tuesday.
JUNIOR SPRINGBOKS – Tries: Markus Muller, Jordan Steenkamp (3), penalty try, Risima Khosa (3), Ethan Adams, Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (2), Cheswill Jooste, Jayden Brits (2), Siphosetho Mnebelele, Gert Kemp. Conversions: Alzeadon Felix (2), Luan Giliomee (3), Akahluwa Boqwana (6).
URUGUAY – Try: Sebastian Delmao. Conversion: Juan Francisco Pereira.
The post Junior Boks hit hundred in ruthless rout appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Junior Springboks made a massive statement at the start of their Junior World Championship title defence, thrashing Uruguay in Tbilisi.
The post Junior Boks hit hundred in ruthless rout appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
