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Ireland dump Junior Boks out of World Rugby U20 Championship

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 9: Ireland U20 celebrate after winning the World Rugby U20 Championship 2023 semi final match between Ireland and South Africa at Athlone Sports Stadium on July 9, 2023 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)

Ireland’s U20s team overcame a tragic week off the pitch to secure a spot in the World Rugby U20s Championship final with an impressive semi-final victory over hosts South Africa at Athlone Sports Stadium.

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Winger James Nicholson played a crucial role in wet conditions, scoring two tries thanks to well-executed cross-field kicks from Sam Prendergast. Despite facing early pressure from the South African team, Ireland’s consistent and organized defense held strong.

In the opening half, South Africa dominated possession and territory, spending the majority of the time in Irish territory. However, their efforts were thwarted by the solid Irish defense.

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Ireland capitalized on a yellow card for Junior Bok Jannes Potgieter, who was penalized for dangerous play in the 36th minute.

Taking advantage of the penalty, Prendergast delivered a perfectly placed cross-field kick to Nicholson, who touched down for Ireland’s first try in the 37th minute.

The second half saw South Africa make a comeback, with Imad Khan scoring under the posts just five minutes into the second forty.

Ireland quickly regained control however as Brian Gleeson bulldozed his way to the try-line from a lineout, restoring their seven-point advantage. The Irish team’s cohesion and composure began to wear down their opponents, leading to replacement Sam Berman’s try and a conversion to follow from Prendergast.

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With five minutes remaining, South Africa managed to breach the Irish defense once more, with Coetzee le Roux scoring a consolation try. However, it was too late to mount a full comeback.

Ireland’s impressive performance in the semi-final sets them up for an exciting clash in the World Rugby U20s final, where they will aim to continue their winning streak against either France or England.

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2 Comments
A
Another 750 days ago

Is it too much to ask for the final score to be included in a match report?

H
Hemi 750 days ago

It’s Rugby pass, their content is rubbish.

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J
JW 41 minutes ago
Lions tour Aussie takes: The Suaalii decision and the Finn Russell factor

Good reads again John. I feel some moments at still within the team to improve, and hopefully some individuals to shine through. After Super Rugby where we were shown you can’t drop your guard at kick off several times in this series have the Lions caught their opposition out with quick throws and restarts, letting the ball go out in this game was a shocker (though the kick was honesty good enough to find the touch had they been ready). Tate tried to strip the try scored just before the half, where he could easily have just dove over the line with him and that pretty much would have been them going into the half with a 10 point lead or so. And in the last play they just didn’t work hard enough, especially one player, I forget who, when back into the ruck area given the Lions too much space wide.


I feel they also didn’t seem to show the same killer instinct once they were in front, playing it safe on a couple of breaks/momentum carries.


I also don’t really understand why Donaldson on the bench. I would much rather have someone you want on the pitch like Pietsch available in a 6/2 split with Gordon or Wright more than able to cover 10 imo. Tate was wonderful on the wing though. And of course lots more positives also present.


I really enjoyed how they were running onto the ball in close in around the ruck. Wilson was playing a different role I thought, he was more the one out man design for quick ball and he presented it as good as you can get all night. That said, he’s not first choice 8 is he, who is that again? Is Wright still injured? I worry that Joe is keeping him their and its dictating too much of the plan just because he has been given the captaincy role.


Will be interesting to see who he thinks might be work a shot in the first team this week, plenty of options. I watched the first quarter of last weeks midweek game and Tupou certainly wouldn’t be one on that list, might be worth a punt though. Think they have to try and work some plays for Bell too, hes got too much class just to be down on form, give him something to work with and I’m sure he’d be a standout as well.


Also seen enough to know Hunter isn’t suddenly going to turn into a class center, I would definitely stick with Joseph but maybe theres a window to put him onto the wing, despite what I said above, now? I think you also do him a disservice in his defending (like many are), he made the player go outside him. It’s the hardest backline spot, I’d be inclined to use him like a league back row and carry it from 12 more often, if that suits Len better.

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