The Junior Springboks delivered a fierce statement of intent at the World Rugby U20 Championship on Friday, clawing their way back from a 14-point hole to hammer England 32-22 in a pulsating Pool A clash in Rovigo, Italy, Cape {town} Etc reports.
South Africa’s under-20s looked rattled early on as England exploded out of the blocks with two quick-fire tries inside the first 12 minutes. But what followed was a ferocious response led by wing Cheswill Jooste, whose elusive footwork and searing pace tore through the English defence and ignited a memorable comeback.
Despite trailing 22-19 at the break, the Boks came out firing in the second half, posting 13 unanswered points while turning up the heat on defence to leave England frustrated and out of ideas.
Jooste opened South Africa’s account with a stunning solo try, stepping past multiple defenders, before combining beautifully with scrumhalf Haashim Pead, who finished off a slick sequence moments later. Fullback Gilermo Mentoe added a third first-half try after Gino Cupido’s sublime break cut England open, levelling the scores before a late penalty handed England a narrow lead at halftime.
But the Junior Boks owned the second period.
Vusi Moyo kicked a pair of penalty goals, one from a monstrous 58 metres out, to swing momentum in South Africa’s favour, before Pead seized the moment with a sensational 78-metre solo try, catching England off guard just outside his own 22. The crowd in Rovigo erupted as Moyo’s conversion stretched the lead to 10.
From there, it was a defensive masterclass. The Boks repelled wave after wave of English pressure, even while down to 14 men after Cupido saw yellow for a high tackle. England threw everything at the green wall, but the South Africans absorbed it all with brute force and discipline.
With this victory, South Africa remain unbeaten in the competition and take a massive step towards securing a semi-final spot, while sending a chilling warning to the rest of the teams in Italy.
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Picture: SA Rugby
