South Africa outmuscle England to secure third at World Rugby U20s
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South Africa secured their ninth U20 Championship bronze medal by defeating England 22-15 in an intense encounter at Athlone Sports Stadium in Cape Town.
In the first half, all points were scored, with South Africa responding strongly after England took an early lead with a penalty from Connor Slevin.
Despite struggling in the scrums, South Africa's forward pack excelled in other areas, particularly in counter-rucking and mauling, effectively challenging England. Flanker Hennie Sieberhagen scored the first try with a pick-and-go, followed by Corné Beets with a close-range effort after Damian Markus put England on the back foot with a powerful run. Jean Smith's penalty increased South Africa's lead to 17 points unanswered.
England responded with a remarkable try created by winger Cassius Cleaves, who made a brilliant break from his own 22-meter line and found Craig Wright, who for an unstoppable run to the try line. However, South Africa's resolute defense prevented England from gaining momentum, and Juann Else scored for the Junior Springboks from an advancing maul.
Before halftime, England scored from a lineout drive, closing the gap to a one-score game with Slevin's conversion. In the early second half, England dominated, but South Africa held strong. Afolabi Fasogbon's excellent turnover within England's 22 halted a sustained South African attack, and Alex Wills went close to scoring for England.
The game became a battle between the forwards in the middle of the field, with limited opportunities for both teams. South Africa had a chance to break the deadlock with a penalty attempt by Jean Smith in the 67th minute, but it went wide. England finished strongly but failed to convert breaks from Cunningham-South and Wills into points, as South Africa repeatedly capitalized on turnover ball, denying England any scoring chances.
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We’re behind on player development in NZ. We still think we know it all and therefore still have amateur age systems in place we call professional because the people in it are paid.
Players like Prendergast and Finn Smith already have a few seasons at top club level under their belt and are now test players, at an age when NZ players make their debuts in SR. 21 is young now. Dan Carter was an AB at that age. Jacomb is 23 already. Never mind France, where talented young players are loaned out to clubs in lower leagues where they play men instead of boys. The ProD2 toughens you up pretty quickly. It’s where real talent goes that is too good for the espoirs (U21).
Our development is all over the place. Club, school, then back to the club, NPC, SR, ABs. Leinster is a good example. They decide how schools play, who plays and in what position. Schools play the ‘Leinster way'. French clubs have academies where kids enter as young as 12. They have clear pathways on their player development. What position(s) they play etc. Our schools are only interested in themselves.
SR clubs need the same control over schools in their catchment area as Leinster has. That would be a start.
Go to commentsI’d love to know the odds on a Western Force/ Highlanders final?
If Barrett and Ioane keep this lacklustre form up, they should not make the ABs squad. Getting outplayed by a whole team of young and inexperienced players should not win you any favours.
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