The Junior Springboks Secure Bonus-Point Win Against England at World Rugby U20 Championship
The South African Junior Springboks pulled off a remarkable comeback to secure a bonus-point victory over England at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Rovigo. Despite trailing by 14 points early in the game, the Junior Boks showed resilience and determination to clinch a 32-22 win.
This victory catapulted South Africa to the top of Pool A with 10 points, with England and Australia following closely behind with five points each. Australia had earlier defeated Scotland 34-24, setting up an exciting final round of pool matches.
In their next matches, the Junior Boks will face Scotland, while England will take on Australia. Both teams entered the game on the back of dominant opening wins, with South Africa thrashing Australia 73-17 and England beating Scotland 56-19.
England started strong with early tries from scrumhalf Jonny Weimann and flanker Connor Treacy, building a 14-0 lead within the first 10 minutes. However, South Africa fought back with a brilliant try from Cheswill Jooste, followed by a score from scrumhalf Hassiem Pead to narrow the gap to two points.
A back-and-forth battle ensued, with England and South Africa exchanging tries. Jack Bracken and Gilermo Mentoe found the tryline for their respective teams, keeping the score tight. Flyhalf Vusi Moyo’s accurate kicking helped the Junior Boks take the lead for the first time in the match.
Pead’s exceptional individual try, converted by Moyo, extended South Africa’s lead to 10 points. Despite a yellow card to centre Gino Cupido, the Junior Boks’ defense held firm, denying England any late comeback opportunities.
The thrilling encounter showcased the talent and determination of both teams, with South Africa emerging victorious in a hard-fought battle. The Junior Boks will look to carry this momentum into their upcoming matches as they continue their quest for championship glory.
