The Junior Springboks were unable to cope with a second-half onslaught from the Australia Under-20 side as they went down 29-24 in their second match of the Rugby Championship Under-20 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Tuesday afternoon.
The SA U20s managed to fight back and grab a 36-25 win in the opening round on Thursday. This time, they led at the break before surrendering the lead in the second half to a Junior Wallabies team that drew with New Zealand U20s in their opener.
A composed and clinical first half from the #JuniorBoks at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. #TRCU20 #JourneyToGreatness pic.twitter.com/1C3KkN9pOO
— SA Junior Rugby (@SAJuniorRugby) May 6, 2025
The Junior Springboks stole the first line-out ball and were playing with early intensity, with powerful runner Batho Hlekani prominent.
They earned a penalty a few phases later and found touch close to the Aussie tryline. The line-out was perfectly executed and the SA U20s rumbled over the line and loose forward Xola Nyali dotted down. Flyhalf Vusi Moyo added the extra two points (7-0).
The Australians slowly started to gain a foothold in the match and were patient as they built some phases. But the Junior Boks maintained their defensive composure and the pressure led to some errors from the visitors.
A big positive for the Baby Boks was their strong work in the scrums and line-outs.
The Junior Wallabies were warned about repeated infringements at the breakdown as the penalty count mounted in South Africa’s favour. The Australians were still struggling to cope with the power of the South African pack in the scrums.
Errors, however, started to creep into South Africa’s play, and the Junior Wallabies began to win the territorial battle. But they were also let down by errors at crucial times.
South Africa then got a lucky break when Ndlozi pounced on a loose pass in midfield to sprint clear and score the second try of the match, against the run of play. Moyo landed the conversion to extend the Baby Boks’ lead to 14-0.
South Africa’s defence was perfectly organised as they snuffed out any danger posed by their rivals. Trevor King of Australia was shown yellow for a scrum infringement in the Baby Boks’ 22.
Nyali thought he had scored his second try after another rolling maul off the line-out but it was ruled out by the the TMO.
The #JuniorBoks team to face Australia in the second round of #TRCU20 tomorrow – more here: https://t.co/Vl655D6Ffh 🔄#JourneyToGreatness pic.twitter.com/BLxZnMtrDA
— SA Junior Rugby (@SAJuniorRugby) May 5, 2025
The score remained 14-0 at the break.
SA pounced on another Australian mistake despite a promising start to the second half. SA drove the ball up into the Australian half and were awarded a penalty, which Moyo landed (17-0).
The Junior Wallabies finally got on the scoreboard off a maul of their own from the line-out six minutes into the second half, skipper Eoman Doyle going over the whitewash. Sid Harvey kicked the conversion (14-7).
SA were strangely subdued in the second half. The Australians made the most of a line-out feed before sucking in the SA defence, allowing Edwin Langi in to score. Harvey kicked the conversion.
The Junior Wallabies had their tails up and their forwards again punched holes in the SA defensive lines, with Lipina Ata scoring the try. Harvey was on target with the boot as Australia took a 21-17 lead.
The Junior Boks had work to do.
Round 2 of #TRCU20 saw New Zealand pile on the points and Australia claim a hard-earned win at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. #JourneyToGreatness pic.twitter.com/W286BqBwM9
— SA Junior Rugby (@SAJuniorRugby) May 6, 2025
Winger Cheswill Jooste pulled off a try-saving tackle to keep the deficit to four. But the Australia U20s would not be denied a few minutes later after a line break in midfield, and Xavier Rubens broke SA hearts with their fourth try (26-17).
The Australians were firmly in command.
The SA U20s were spared further blushes when another Australian try was ruled out. The South Africans were struggling to get out of their half, and skipper Riley Norton escaped a late yellow card for head contact in the tackle. Harvey landed the resultant penalty, however.
When livewire Hlekani barged over the line with minutes to go in the match, it gave SA a lifeline. Kyle Smith kicked the conversion. But the Junior Wallabies held on for the win.
Meanwhile, New Zealand U20s thrashed the Argentina U20 side 75-21 in the earlier kickoff at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
Scorers
Junior Springboks
(24)
Tries: Nyali, Ndlozi, Hlekani; Conversions: Ndlozi (2), Smith; Penalties:
Moyo
Junior Wallabies (29)
Tries: Doyle, Ata, Langi, Rubens; Conversions: Harvey (3); Penalties:
Harvey
