The SA U20’s scored 14 tries in their runaway 92-27 victory over the senior Namibia side in their friendly international on Saturday.
Justin Geduld (outside centre), Rohan Janse van Rensburg (inside centre), Seabelo Senatla (left wing) and Luther Obi (right wing) all scored two tries each while flyhalf Robert du Preez missed just three of the 14 conversions, with one hitting the upright.
Namibia actually took the lead in the third minute when flyhalf Thins Kotze slotted his first of two penalties. However, after that the home team kicked into gear and the Junior Springboks scored six tries to register a comfortable halftime lead of 40-6.
The South Africans played with purpose and stuck to their game plan, which yielded eight more tries in the second half. As expected, the dangerous SA backline kept the Namibians busy during the entire match, with fullback Cheslin Kolbe a constant threat whenever he had the ball.
Ruan Steenkamp, flank and SA U20 skipper, led his side superbly and he managed to keep his team composed and focus on their game plan. The forwards withstood some crunching tackles early on, but they managed to stamp their authority on the match in superb fashion, an aspect of their clash which pleased their coach, Dawie Theron, very much afterwards.
“We kept to our structure and I am happy with the overall discipline. A match such as this one can easily become very loose, especially once you’ve managed to post a huge score with still plenty of time to go. The boys played with purpose and desire and everyone worked their socks off to keep the intensity going right to the end,” added Theron.
Apart from Rohan Janse van Rensburg (centre) who suffered an ankle injury, the rest of the team came through unharmed.
The squad will now assemble on May 26 in Cape Town before flying out to France three days later to play in the 2013 IRB Junior World Championship.
The point scorers:
SA Under-20: Tries: Stefan Ungerer, Justin Geduld (2), Rohan Janse van Rensburg (2), Ruan Steenkamp, Jacques du Plessis, Aidon Davis, Seabelo Senatla (2), Cheslin Kolbe, Luther Obi (2), Sylvian Mahuza. Conversions: Robert du Preez (11).
Namibia: PJ van Lill, Justin Nel, Rohan Kitshoff. Conversions: Theuns Kotze (3). Penalties: Kotze (2).