South Africa completed an unbeaten U18 International Series campaign on Saturday after overcoming England in an entertaining final-round encounter north of Cape Town.
The hosts pulled away after half-time to secure a 68-40 victory, scoring six second-half tries after taking a narrow lead into the break at Stellenberg High.
Earlier in the day, flyhalf Jaydon Viljoen scored 21 points as the SA U18 As went undefeated with a 51-26 win against France U18.
England opened the scoring through Archie Guyver, who finished a backline move in the corner. Zac Jones converted, but the South Africans responded in the early exchanges when Charles Whitehead scored from a driving maul.
The hosts then took control. Ncutu Kepe and Jacobus de Villiers crossed, with Ethan van Biljon converting both tries as the home team turned an early deficit into a lead.
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The English fought back through Will Moore after South Africa had twice held up visiting ball carriers over the tryline. Jones converted to reduce the deficit.
Kepe then showed his footwork to score his second try of the half, with Van Biljon converting. England had the final say before the break when Charlie Bray scored from a maul, leaving South Africa with a narrow advantage at half-time.
The hosts struck quickly after the interval. The replacement hooker proved difficult to contain close to the line.
South Africa then resumed their attack through replacement hooker Theo Boshoff and Van Biljon, with Achmat Behardien converting both to stretch the lead throughout the opening spell.
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Behardien then delivered a pinpoint crossfield kick for Anesu Kuzonyei to score, before England responded through Taine Elone and another try to reduce the gap.
South Africa hit back through De Villiers, who finished a move initiated by the forwards, while England scored again through replacement outside back Jack McIntosh.
Boshoff then completed his hat-trick with two further tries from driving mauls. Behardien converted both as the local youngsters finished strongly.
SA U18 – Tries: Charles Whitehead, Ncutu Kepe (2), Jacobus de Villiers (2), Theo Boshoff (3), Ethan van Biljon, Anesu Kuzonyei. Conversions: Van Biljon (3), Achmat Behardien (6).
England U18 – Tries: Archie Guyver, Will Moore, Charlie Bray, Tiane Elone, Will Bayston, Jack McIntosh. Conversions: Zac Jones (3), Sonny Goode, Oscar Talbot.
Photo: @SAJuniorRugby/X
The post SA outclass England for U18s series sweep appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
South Africa completed an unbeaten U18 International Series campaign on Saturday after overcoming England in an entertaining final-round encounter north of Cape Town.
The post SA outclass England for U18s series sweep appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
